John Nicholas Zambalis, 87, of Rutherford passed away on December 1, 2021. Born in New York, NY, John moved to Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn and graduated from Newton HS, Brooklyn. John enlisted in the military and served as a US Army officer and MP during the Korean War. After his discharge, John's friends invited him to a church 4th of July weekend in the Catskills where he met the love of his life and future wife after spiking a volleyball into her face during a game. Fireworks for sure! Seven months later, on a snowy Valentine's Day in 1959, they were married and thus began the journey of their 62 years together. They lived in Paramus and Passaic before moving to Rutherford in 1976. John went on to receive degrees in engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University and NJIT, Newark, while he was in his 20's and 30's and after retirement, returned to Felician College to study psychology and mindfulness. John was blind to obstacles and only saw the goal post. John was a devout Greek Orthodox Christian who immersed himself as a parishioner, coach, volunteer, trustee and, most importantly, a friend of each and every congregant of the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Clifton.  John was a master gardener and was in his beautiful garden with his hydrangeas and his birds until the end.

Beloved husband for 62 years of Athens (Theophelos). Devoted father of Carolmarie Sofia Lowenstein and Kiki Konner and her husband George Demetriades. Cherished grandfather of Jared and his wife Clare, Trent and his wife Laney, Colby, Madison, Chase, Cameron and his fiancée Sophie. Loving great-grandfather of Catherine, Andrew and Zev.

Viewing and visitation will be held Tuesday 10AM-11AM at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 818 Valley Road, Clifton. Funeral services will begin directly after the viewing at 11AM at the church. Interment will be private at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown, PA.