HOBOKEN, N.J. — Services have been set for Hoboken Police Sgt. Peter Zanin, 46, a father of three who passed away suddenly last Saturday. Zanin was involved in many police charity events for kids.
Hoboken Police Chief Ken Ferrante told NJ.com that Zanin had passed away after a two-week illness (and clarified it was not coronavirus).
According to his obituary, Zanin was a member of the Hoboken Police Department since 1999. He and his family moved from Hoboken to Parsippany a year ago.
(See him read a Shel Silverstein book to kids here, part of "Storytime with the Police," a program launched during the quarantine.)
Surviving are his wife, Samantha (nee Funk) and his three cherished children, Olivia, Christian and Madison, his mother, Arlene Zanin, his only brother Kevin, his brothers-in-law, West Orange Police Detective Ryan Funk and Sgt. Jesse Funk of the Palm Beach County Sherriff’s office and their wives, Leslie and Julie. Zanin was the endeared nephew of Patrick and Lynn Fitzgerald.
Zanin was predeceased by his devoted father, Peter Zanin Sr.
According to the obituary, "Peter took on many benevolent challenges, such as Coat Drives, Toys for Tots and many other community events in the Mile Square City. Known to many as 'Peachy' for his reddish hair. A graduate of Hudson Catholic High School. An avid New York Rangers fan and a member of the Hoboken Motorcycle Club. Peter was respected by all of his colleagues."
The Funeral Mass will be offered this Monday at 10 a.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul RC Church, Hoboken. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. Visitation will be held on Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. and concluding at 8 p.m. at Failla-McKnight Memorial Home, 533 Willow Ave. (One Facebook post said visitation from 2-4 p.m. is for family only; 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for others.) Parking available in rear of memorial home off Sixth Street.
Full details are here.
"Our deepest condolences to the family of Hoboken Police Sergeant Peter Zanin and his colleagues," wrote the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office on Saturday morning. "Sergeant Zanin passed away this morning at 4 a.m. this morning at St. Claire's Hospital in Denville. He leaves behind his wife Samantha, 3 young children, his mother Arlene, brother Kevin, & brother-in-law Ryan. Please keep them all in your thoughts."
Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla said the city would fly flags at half-staff for the week, starting Saturday.
“He was not a man of pretense, but rather a man who exhibited quiet grace and humility," the mayor said. "He was kind human and a gentle soul. Sgt. Zanin wore his uniform proudly and served our community with honor. His loss is a tremendous loss for the city. May his soul rest in peace.”
Zanin also gained a following for his good-natured humor in social media posts in Hoboken community groups during quarantine. Besides humorous posts, he frequently wrote posts to promote community service programs, such as "Storytime with the Police."
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