Community Rallies Around Beloved West Haven Bar Owner

WEST HAVEN, CT — The West Haven community and beyond is rallying around John Ziada, the owner of Z’s Corner Café, as he battles cancer.

Ziada was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer in early January, according to lifelong friend Shelby Poe.

Poe launched a GoFundMe campaign, titled “Love for Johnny Z,” on Thursday to help the family with medical expenses.

“Because of the many visits to the hospital, treatments and medications, expenses are piling up and the last thing we want is more stress on the family at this time,” Poe wrote on the GoFundMe page.

Ziada is a member of West Haven High School’s Class of 1987 and was a proud captain of the 1986 state championship football team.

“From high school, Johnny attended The University of New Haven,” Poe wrote. “After UNH, Johnny pursued and accomplished his dream of opening a bar for live, local music. Z’s Corner Cafe was born in 1997. There he was able to feed his passion for live music, having bands every weekend.”

Z’s Corner Café, located at 407 Campbell Avenue, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

“Over the years, John has given so much of himself to the community,” Poe wrote. “He was instrumental in starting the Wimbash Music Festival and was the 1st to bring beer back to the Savin Rock Festival. From countless sports banquets, golf outings, showers, stags, weddings and funerals, Johnny was there for everyone, always with a smile on his face and usually a corny joke too.

“John still resides in West Haven with his wife Susie and 2 daughters. His favorite job and proudest accomplishment is being the best dad to his awesome daughters, Samira and Zienna.

“Let’s show John and his family just how much we love him and how grateful we are for all he’s done, while easing their growing financial burden.”

Nearly $24,000 was raised within the first 11 hours of the campaign.

For more information, or to make a donation, visit the GoFundMe page here.

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