Lawrence Zollo

Lawrence John Zollo was born in the North End of Waterbury, Connecticut on September 15, 1928 to Italian-Americans Carmine Zollo and Mary (Macchiarella) Zollo, the youngest of their 7 children, and grew up during the Great Depression, which would impact his formative years.
A active, lifelong resident of Waterbury, CT, Zollo graduated from Wilby High School, where he wore #36 on the 1946 Wilby High School Football Team. During his teens he was a member of “The Christophers” of St. Lucy’s parish, an active teen/young adult group. After high school graduation, he joined the United States Army and served from 1946-1948, where he also received the World War II Victory Medal. During this time, Zollo began to focus on two passions, teaching and politics, two fields that he would actively be involved for the rest of his life. These two pursuits, along with his dedication to his family, would occupy much of his professional as well as personal time.
Education
Zollo obtained a Bachelor of Science (1964) and Master of Science Degree in 1968 from Central Connecticut State College and a Sixth-Year Certificate of Advanced Studies from Fairfield University in 1970.
Teaching career
A lifelong educator, he was employed by the Town of Wolcott, CT as a teacher of Business, Finance, Typing, and was an administrator at newly minted Wolcott High School. He received many awards and was involved in the D.E.C.A distributive education program to help students develop marketable business skills. Outside of Wolcott High School, he served as a graduate school instructor at Central Connecticut State University and adjunct instructor at Fairfield University. He ended his career as an administrator at The W. F. Kaynor Regional Vocational Technical School in Waterbury. He retired from Kaynor Technical School and from the State Dept of Education September 1, 1994.
His commitment to service ran through his life. Mr. Zollo served the City of Waterbury in a variety of capacities including the offices of President and Majority Leader of the Board of Alderman for 12 years, serving as President for six; he also served for 12 years on the Waterbury Board of Education, serving as President for six, (until December 31, 1990 ). He additionally served as Commissioner of the Board of Finance, the Board of Welfare, the Waterbury Housing Authority, and the Board of Directors for New Opportunities of Waterbury (N.O.W.).
Politics
A Republican, he served as Town Chairman of the Republican Party of Waterbury. Mr. Zollo’s service to the City of Waterbury spanned decades through the administrations of Mayor Edward D. Bergin Sr., Mayor Joseph. P. McNellis, Mayor Frederich W. Palomba. He was a member of the administration of Mayor George Harlamon. He also served under Mayor Victor E. Mambruno as well as Mayor Edward D. Bergin Jr, and Mayor Joseph J. Santopietro. He later served as a member of the City of Waterbury Charter Revision Commission. Notably, he was a member of the Harlamon administration during the civil unrest that transpired in the city in the summer of 1969, a remarkable page in the Brass City’s history. Mr. Zollo served in both Republican and Democratic administrations.
Following his retirement from The W. F. Kaynor Regional Vocational Technical School, Mr. Zollo was appointed to the board of trustees of the Community-Technical Colleges by Governor John G. Rowland in 1995. In this role he was responsible for the policies and operations of the State’s twelve community-technical colleges.. During his tenure, in conjunction with the board, the Governor and the State Legislature they endeavored to "elevate the quality and access of the States Community College system". Notable achievements in this capacity were a massive overhaul and upgrade of the state’s community college campuses. In addition to the physical upgrades, the goals extended to create a system in which; “1) no student be denied an opportunity for higher education because they lack the means to pay” and “2) Any student who meets or exceeds a high average in the Connecticut Community College system should gain acceptance into the State University system to expand their education to a bachelors degree. Many agree that these goals have been accomplished. He served as chairman of the same board in 2002. On May 3rd, 2003 he was awarded the ‘Secretary of State’s Public Service Award’, by Susan Byseiwicz for his service on the board. This ceremony was fittingly held at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain where his undergraduate education began five decades earlier. Zollo noted that his College, now a University “had come a long, long way”.
Zollo was active in many organizations throughout his career. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Central Naugatuck Valley Career and Vocational Education Consortium, The Connecticut Association of Secondary Schools, the National Education Association, The Connecticut Education Association, Wolcott Education Association, Vocational Education Association, The Distributive Education Clubs of America, The U.S. Jaycee International Senators Organization, St. Lucy’s Parish, and the Sheridan Council, Knights of Columbus.
Personal Life
Zollo is married to Lorraine (Swiderski) Zollo since 1965. They have five Children; Vickie Canale of Cheshire CT, Victor Sansoucie of Prospect CT, Lawrence Zollo Jr. of Fairfield CT, Theodore Zollo of Starke FL, and Lyle Zollo of Kingsport TN. Zollo and his wife together have 8 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Mr. Zollo had six siblings: Salvatore Zollo, Grace (Santoro)Fadus (deceased), James Zollo (deceased), Claire Schifellite (deceased), Marie Lerz, and Helen Genua (deceased).

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