Thomas E. “Tom” Zubal Sr. passed away peacefully on April 28, 2015 after a brief illness, at the Sangre de Cristo Hospice Center, following a brief stay at Parkview Medical Center, in Pueblo, CO. Tom was born on April 20, 1939, in Walsenburg, CO, to Agnes and Joe Zubal. He attended elementary school at the Dand Schoolhouse in Ideal Canyon, then St. Mary’s High School in Walsenburg. Following graduation, he briefly worked for Vanotti Sawmill. In 1958, Tom began working for Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Company, Mountain Bell, and US West, and finally retired from Qwest after 42 1/2 years as a Central Office Tech. On June 27, 1959, Tom was united in marriage to Margaret Pachorek, and they had two children. They moved to Hoehne in 1977 and began farming and running cattle on the family ranch in Walsenburg until 2002. Tom enjoyed fishing, gambling, spending time with his family, and taking drives in the country with his wife, Marge. His greatest joy was teaching his son and grandson to fish. He also loved restoring his 1950 Case tractor and entering it in the Labor Day Parade. One of Papa’s favorite things was being ornery and
teasing his grandkids. He was preceded in death by his parents, Agnes and Joe Zubal; brother Joey; brother-in- law, Martin Campagnola; brother in law, Leroy Hasenack; and in- laws, Tony and Mabel Pachorek. Tom is survived by his wife of 55 years, Margaret A. Zubal; children, Marla Kay (Robbie) Skalko and Thomas (Doris) Zubal Jr.; grandchildren, Jarrod Skalko and Jeni Skalko (Brian Scuzzaro); siblings, Ethel Campagnola and Barbara (Bob) Vining; sister-in-law, Frances Hasenack; along with numerous nieces and nephews. Tom was the best husband, dad, Papa, and father-in-law. He will always be remembered. Visitation was Sunday, May 3, 2015 from 1-6 pm at the Comi Chapel in Trinidad. Funeral Mass was celebrated Monday, May 4, 2015 at 10am at Holy Trinity Church, in Trinidad. Entombment followed at the Guardian Angel Mausoleum, Trinidad, Catholic Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers were Tom’s many friends. Active pallberers were Marty Campagnola, Ron Tokar, Steve Sciacca, Anthony Cirone, Ron Cirone, and Brett Tamburelli. Condolences can be sent to the family at P.O. Box 75, Hoehne, CO, 81046. They will also received friends and visitors at the family home. The family wishes to acknowledge the entire ICU Parkview Medical Center Staff as well as the nursing staff of the Sangre de Cristo Hospice Center. Arrangements made under the direction of the Comi Funeral Home.
