Obituary for Matthew Zuccaro
Matthew Zuccaro, longtime resident of Chappaqua, NY, passed away surrounded by his family on February 25, 2020. He was born in New York City and grew up in Westchester County. Matt is survived by his wife of fifty years, Doreen, his son Steven (Patricia) and daughter Wendy Manowitz (Rob) as well as grandchildren Lizzie and Jon, brother Anthony, his sister, Susan Pavlick and many loving cousins, nieces & nephews.
Matt always had a love of flying, beginning with his involvement with Civil Air Patrol as a teenager. He then served in Vietnam with the 7/17th Air Calvary flying helicopters for his country as an Army helicopter pilot, where his bravery earned him several commendations, (including two Distinguished flying crosses, three Bronze stars and nineteen air medals). Over the next 50 years he had a distinguished career in aviation, highlights of which included being one of only two pilots to land on top of the World Trade Center heliport, being a founding member of the Eastern Regional Helicopter Council culminating his career serving as president and CEO of the Helicopter Association International for the past 15 years. Throughout his career, Matt was an advocate for the global promotion of rotorcraft safety on behalf of all members, operators and maintainers alike.
In addition to his passion for aviation, Matt absolutely loved spending time with his immediate and extended family, hosting large family gatherings and vacationing at the Jersey shore. The family will receive friends at the Beecher Flooks Funeral Home in Pleasantville today, Thursday, from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM & on Friday from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John & St. Mary R.C. (Upper Church) on Saturday at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne.
Matt always had a love of flying, beginning with his involvement with Civil Air Patrol as a teenager. He then served in Vietnam with the 7/17th Air Calvary flying helicopters for his country as an Army helicopter pilot, where his bravery earned him several commendations, (including two Distinguished flying crosses, three Bronze stars and nineteen air medals). Over the next 50 years he had a distinguished career in aviation, highlights of which included being one of only two pilots to land on top of the World Trade Center heliport, being a founding member of the Eastern Regional Helicopter Council culminating his career serving as president and CEO of the Helicopter Association International for the past 15 years. Throughout his career, Matt was an advocate for the global promotion of rotorcraft safety on behalf of all members, operators and maintainers alike.
In addition to his passion for aviation, Matt absolutely loved spending time with his immediate and extended family, hosting large family gatherings and vacationing at the Jersey shore. The family will receive friends at the Beecher Flooks Funeral Home in Pleasantville today, Thursday, from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM & on Friday from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John & St. Mary R.C. (Upper Church) on Saturday at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne.