World War II veteran and centenarian Fred Zuppa, shown in front of his Allen Park home, was honored in absentia during the July 8 Allen Park City Council meeting by Mayor Gail McLeod.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
ALLEN PARK – World War II Navy veteran and centenarian Fred Zuppa, who shies away from public appearances, was honored in absentia during the July 8 City Council meeting by Mayor Gail McLeod.
Zuppa, who was born July 2, 1925, in Fairmont, W. Va., became a resident of Allen Park in 1949, when he and his wife, Eda, purchased their first home in the city. They were married for 68 years when Eda Zuppa died in 2014.
Zuppa has three daughters, six grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
During World War II, he served as a ship’s barber in the Navy.
After the war, he opened Fred’s Barber Shop on Ecorse Road, and is remembered fondly by many of his former clients.
McLeod expressed congratulations on Zuppa’s centennial on behalf of the city.
“I deem it an honor and a pleasure to recognize and congratulate Fred Zuppa on reaching 100 years of age, wish him the very best in the coming year, and thank him for his service.”