Joseph Stephen Zita, 59, passed away suddenly after about six years of various illnesses on Monday, June 22, 2026.

Born July 17, 1966 in Portsmouth, Virginia he was the son of Ronald Louis and Laurel Jean (Gastiger) Zita.

Joseph graduated from Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School in 1988.

Joseph worked for Davis and Warshaw as a plumbing apprentice from 1989 until 1993. From 1993 until 2015 he worked as a medical records clerk at Queens Health Center. Joseph was also in the New York Hotel Trade Union.

Joseph was an avid sports fan, and one of his biggest hobbies was watching his beloved teams: the New York Yankees, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Hurricanes Football, and St. John’s Men’s Basketball. He also loved professional wrestling and watched it almost every night for his entire life.

In October 2001, Joseph married Ann Marie Murphy at Holy Child Jesus Church in Richmond Hill, New York.

Joseph was an alter server, a cub scout, and a member of high school basketball, baseball, and track and field teams.

In addition to his parents, Joseph was predeceased by his beloved wife, Ann Marie Zita; maternal and paternal grandparents, Joseph and Mae Dalecki, Francis and Helen Gastiger; brother, Ronald Richard Zita; cousin, James Desio; and pets, Holly, Rover, Casey, Rusty, and Cash.

Those left to cherish his memory are sister, Lori Anne (Zita) Mullen of Queensbury; in-laws, Jim Mullen, Donna (Murphy) Zita both of Queensbury; nieces, Jillian Zita (Eric) Portnoy of Levittown, NY, Marion Behr of Glens Falls; nephews, James (Lianna Kendig) Mullen, Jayson Mullen, Justin (Nate Swinton) Mullen (also a godson), and Matthew Zita (also a godson); cousins, Stephen Bradley of Uniondale, NY, Barbara Morton of Peachtree City, GA, and Kathy Woods of Fayetteville, GA; great-nephews, Benjamin Clermont and Noah Portnoy; great-nieces, Christina Tripp and Gabrielle Behr; and family dogs, Benny and Thelma.

Visitation will take place Tuesday, June 30, 2026 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804.

A funeral service will take place on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church, 448 Aviation Rd., Queensbury, NY 12804 with Fr. Joseph Busch officiating.

A gathering will follow.

Condolences and floral arrangements may be sent directly to Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804, or through www.bakerfuneralhome.com.