Eugene Zaccheo

Preston — Our father, Eugene A. Zaccheo, 76, born in Westfield, Mass. to Tomaso and Celestina Zaccheo, died peacefully in his sleep after a long illness at his residence on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016.

Mr. Zaccheo was a retired U.S. Navy senior chief, retiring after 31 years. He was never prouder of anything next to his family than his military service to his country.

He is survived by his brothers, John Zaccheo of Salt Lake City, Utah and Thomas Zaccheo of Farmington; sisters, Matilda Desorcy of Rockland, Maine and Anna Zaccheo of Springfield, Mass.; his daughters, Catherine Whalen Maldonado of Mayaquez, Puerto Rico, Margaret Bartlett of San Antonio, Texas, Linda Helton of Fayetteville, N.C., Joanne Zaccheo of Preston, Shirley A. Zaccheo of New London and Gina M. Zaccheo of Santee, Calif.; grandchildren Daine C. Zaccheo of Tampa Fla., Alexander A. Zaccheo of Cocoa, Fla., Erica A. Whitchurch of Tucson, Ariz., Anyssa A. Dhaouadi, Selma A. Dhaouadi, and Salah A. Dhaouadi from New London, Samantha C. Dillah, Meagan Zaccheo and Isabella Zaccheo from Santee, Calif., James L. Helton of El Paso, Texas, and Bryce Houssman of Fayetteville, N.C.; and great-grandchildren, Matthew J. Zaccheo of Merritt Island, Fla., and Miah K. Smith of Tucson, Ariz.

He was predeceased by his parents and a son, Billy Helton.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, 10 Huntington St., New London, followed by full military honors at the church. Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington St., New London, with a Fleet Reserve Branch 20 memorial service at 5:30 p.m. Burial will be private.

Donations in his memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Memphis, TN 38101.

Please visit www.byles.com to sign the guest book or to share a memory.