Daniel A. Zappola

Daniel Alden Zappola, age 68, of Concord Twp., Ohio, passed away on Friday, February 13, 2026. 

Dan was born on February 4, 1958, in Cleveland, Ohio. He grew up in Willowick on Ronald Drive, the same street where his high school sweetheart and future wife, Sue, also lived. As a child, Dan loved visiting his grandmother’s farm in West Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Always ambitious, he got his parents’ permission to sell shoes door-to-door while still in elementary school. He became the local paperboy, and in high school he worked at C Pearson Trophy. 

Upon meeting for the very first time at 13 and 12 years old, Dan took Sue for a ride on his motorcycle, where he then embarrassingly got stuck in a hole. They have stuck together ever since. He graduated from North High School in 1976, and he and Sue were married in 1977 at age 19. 

Dan worked for Laborers’ Local Union #496 for several years, helping construct the Perry Power Plant. In his 20s, he volunteered as part of the auxiliary police in Madison. Dan worked for Lehtonen Plumbing and became a licensed plumber. In 1986, he started My Plumber, Inc. in his garage in Mentor. In the mid-90s and early 2000s, he also owned Hardware Plus on Lakeshore in Mentor, operating his plumbing business simultaneously from the hardware store. My Plumber, Inc. is still in business today. Dan sold the company in 2023 but continued to work there as president. 

Dan was a man of many talents, and if he didn’t know how to do something, he figured it out. He loved engineering and building things, from furniture to a custom walk-in pantry for Sue to entire houses for both his own family and his in-laws. He loved cars and motorcycles and reminiscing about the dozens that he had previously owned. He was an exceptional cook. He made homemade pasta, sauce, and soups, many from recipes he learned from his grandmothers in the kitchen as a child. He loved camping and fishing, and enjoyed spending time at the family cottage in Pymatuning, Pennsylvania. He enjoyed going to the Guardians games in “the good seats.” He volunteered with Lake Metroparks, where one of his favorite jobs was to drive the tractor for wagon rides. And any attempt at describing Dan must include his great love of Elvis Presley. He had recently caught the travel bug. Just days before his passing, he returned from a wonderful trip to Disneyland and Los Angeles with his wife, Sue, and daughter, Danielle.

Above all else, his family was the most important thing in the world to him. Dan was a devoted husband to Sue for 48 years, making her laugh harder than anyone else can, going for drives with her, and patiently accompanying her in and out of small-town shops everywhere. He was a loving father whose advice and guidance will be forever missed. He would do anything for his girls. He was also a father figure to many, consistently offering support and honesty. Dan (also known as Papa) loved being a grandfather and beamed with pride every time Teddy and Peter were around. Teddy had just beaten Papa in chess for the first time, and Peter loved holding onto Papa’s large and comforting ears. 

It’s hard to fully tell the story of Dan, since he was the story-teller of the family, spinning wit and wisdom into everyday conversation. He leaves behind a legacy of unwavering love, cherished friendships, good meals, expert craftsmanship, enthusiasm and generosity for those around him, and stories that we’ll continue to tell for decades to come. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Susan K. (Hanson) Zappola; his daughters, Danielle S. Zappola and Jennifer N. (Jonathan D.) Sustar; his cherished grandchildren, Theodore “Teddy” Alden Sustar and Peter Kayden Sustar; his aunt, Florence “Allie” (Aldan) Stelter; his nephews, Ralph III (Melissa) Zappola and Mark (Courtney) Zappola; and his great-nieces and great-nephews, Abby, Ella, Camden, Ralph IV, and Tyler. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rose Zappola and Ralph Zappola Sr., and his brother, Ralph Zappola Jr. 

Calling hours will be held Thursday, February 26, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Davis-Babcock Funeral Home in Willoughby. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, February 27, at 5:00 p.m. at Concord Township Community Center, 7671 Auburn Road, Concord Twp. with a dinner to follow at the same location. Please join us. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Dan Zappola to the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation, which supports community and youth-focused charitable programs. And, if you can, give a generous tip at your next meal.