Former Jockey, Trainer Zangari Dies at 83

Former jockey and trainer Ronald Zangari died Feb. 18 at Lawrence General Hospital in Lawrence, Mass. He was 83.

Raised and educated in Haverhill, son of the late Herbert and Lena (St. Laurent) Zangari, Ronald was a jockey and trainer for most of his life. He also was employed as a lift operator at Brodie Mountain Ski Area and most recently as a bus driver for the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority.

Training from 1995-2001, Zangari won 12 races from 120 starts with his runners making $79,431. His horses raced primarily at Rockingham Park and Suffolk Downs.

Prior to his training career, he spent time in the saddle aboard 1957 Belmont Stakes winner Gallant Man, serving as one of his morning riders. 

A member of All Saints Parish, the former Saint Rita’s Parish, and the Jockeys' Guild, Zangari is survived by his daughter, Maria Zangari, and her fiancé Travis Green of Haverhill; his son Ronald L. Zangari II of East Hampstead, N.H.; his former wife Diana (Assad) Zangari of Seabrook, N.H.; a brother Michael Zangari and his wife Paula of Haverhill; six sisters, Elizabeth "Betty" Burns of Haverhill, Dolores "Dolly" Pacione of Plaistow, Lorraine Bilodeau of Haverhill, Patricia O’Connell of Haverhill, Carole Zangari of Haverhill, and Cynthia Zangari of Haverhill; two grandchildren, Ronald L. Zangari III and Alexandra Smith; his special friend Charlotte Johnston of Haverhill; and several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his brother Herbert Zangari and sisters Maryanne Gucciardi, Constance David, and Kathleen Noyes.

A celebration of Zangari's life was held Feb. 22 and a funeral Feb. 23.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to: MSPCA, Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway, Methuen, Mass., 01844. To send a message of condolence to the family or to share a cherished memory, visit brooksidechapelfh.com.