Dick "Zip" Zunt dies in hospice

Dick "Zip" Zunt, a longtime high school sports reporter, died Saturday morning, Jan. 2 in the Hospice of The Western Reserve. He was 78.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010, 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m., at Chambers Funeral Home, 4420 Rocky River Drive in Cleveland. The funeral mass will be Wednesday, 10 a.m. at St. Patrick West Park Catholic Church, 4427 Rocky River Drive in Cleveland. Burial will be at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, 10175 Rawiga Road in Rittman. Memorial contributions can be made in Zunt's name to St. Ignatius High School, 1911 W. 30th St., Cleveland, 44113.

Here's the link to the obit in The PD:

http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2010/01/longtime_plain_dealer_sports_r.html

He had gone into Hospice earlier this week, after being transferred from Fairview hospital .

He was diagnosed with cancer in September, former colleague Chuck Murr reported.

Chuck Murr passed along these comments from friends about Zip:

"He was kind, polite, happy, hardworking and a true gentleman. Treated everyone
with respect, even lowly copy aides in the day. Which is what I was when I met
him. Wanted to be more like him when I grew up. I missed the mark by quite a
bit, but I am surely better for having known him." -- Joel Downey

"Zippy always said,'Hi, how are you doing?' to everyone around him even if he was in a conversation with someone else. No one in my life was so aware of others. Truly, he was a special and amazing man. He will be much missed. RIP Zip. -- Kenny Matley

"A truly nice man, always very helpful to everyone. He saw every player in every sport in the area for 50+ years and was a walking encyclopedia. The man had many strengths." -- Bill Livingston

"The Plain Dealer family and thousands of high school athletes across Northeast Ohio lost a true giant in the newspaper industry. No one covered high school sports with more enthusiasm than Dick Zunt. More than that, there was no warmer human being than Dick Zunt. Thousands of high school athletes were the lucky ones to have Dick Zunt cover them." -- Burt Graeff

"The nicest guy in the business. Ever." -- Michael K. McIntyre

"Man, I never saw that guy without a big smile on his face and a cheerful laugh. He was truly one of the finest human beings I've ever met. May he rest in peace." -- L.C. Johnson

"He was the kindest gentleman I have ever known. He was a gift to all of us who knew him. I'm glad his suffering is over. He deserves to be at peace. This is heartbreaking." -- Sue Klein

"Dick Zunt is possibly the kindest and most caring man I ever met. I grew up reading his stories and wanting to follow in his footsteps. He literally made it possible for me to work at the PD sports department. Better than that, he became my friend and colleague. Thanks for everything Dick, but especially for being such a true friend." -- Larry Sheehe

Chuck Murr said on Jan. 1, 2010: "visited with Zip this past evening ..." and I know many of you.. have been to see him in the past couple of days. His family greatly appreciates it. Zippy's alertness comes and goes as he is heavily medicated for the pain. He had a terrible fever Wednesday night, but it subsided Thursday and he spent much of the day chatting with friendsand family. By early evening he was quite tired and slept most of the time.His family members are truly touched by each visit. As we all know, Dick Zunt has touched all of us in such a positive way for so many years. If you get the chance in the next day or so."

Rich Fletcher said this:"I went to see Zippy Wednesday night (12/30) around 7:30 pm. He had a lot of family that had just arrived from out-of-town and, according the Hospice volunteer, a non-stop stream of friends. His family said that they were very moved at the "outpouring of love" (quote from his sister-in-law, Flo) that people have showed Zip. "Rich said he was awake but tired when he visited.

" He noticed me right away, saying "Oh, Rich. So glad you came. I missed you at the last luncheon."