Norman D. "Nemo" Zapusek Sr., 92, of Mountaintop, passed away Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at Allied Services Meade Street Skilled Nursing, Wilkes-Barre.

Born in Luzerne, on April 4, 1932, Norman was the youngest of eleven children born to the late Charles and Louise Mussel Zapusek.

A United States Army Veteran, Norman honorably served his country during the Korean War. After the war he was a long time employee of the Eberhard Faber Company.

In his retirement years Norman also helped his son in the family business, Norm's Pizza in Wilkes-Barre.  He worked tirelessly, seven days a week, to help grow the business since its opening, helping with food prep, mixing dough, baking the fried sicilian style pizza, among countless other contributions.  Norman, known as "Mr. Z" along with his late wife, Jean "Mrs. Z" made Norm's Pizza a special place known and loved by so many.  He remained dedicated and worked there physically, mentally and in spirit until the day he died.  Without his help, the restaurant would not be what it is today.

Norman's early years were spent on a farm. He enjoyed fishing, sledding, sports, and his family's many animals including their pet donkey.

Norman was a master humorous storyteller and these were some of his favorites to share. Norman became an avid trout fisherman as an adult and contributed to his community by leading the basketball league in Mountaintop, then called the YAC league, and renamed it the Mountaintop Biddy Basketball League.  This league enabled kids of all abilities to learn and play the game he loved, which had a positive impact on so many lives. He also became a voracious reader of American History in his later years.

In addition to his parents, Norman was preceded in death by his wife, of 66 years, Georgette A. "Jean" Zapusek; and many brothers and sisters.

Surviving are his son, Norman Zapusek Jr. and his wife, Carey, Wapwallopen; his daughter, Karen Yarosh and her husband, Robert, Mountaintop; five grandchildren, Sammy, Jaime, Josh, Bryce, and Rachel; his sister, Lorraine Petrishin, Shickshinny; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, September 23, 2024 at 11 A.M. in St. Jude Parish, 420 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountaintop.   Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Army after the funeral mass.

Family and friends may call from 10:30 A.M. until the time of mass at the church.

Interment will be privately held in St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Exeter.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Bednarski Funeral Home, 168 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming.

To share a memory or a message of condolence with his family, visit www.bednarskifuneralhome.com