John “Jay” Zunic Ii

John M. Zunic II (Jay), 50, of Maine, NY, peacefully passed away Sunday, April 17, 2022. He was predeceased by his brother, Joseph T. Zunic; maternal grandparents Robert J. and Betty J. Touhey, Endwell, NY; paternal grandparents, Stephen F. and Edna T. Zunic; Endwell, NY; in-laws Robert L. and Sylvia C. Emerson, Whitney Point, NY; aunts, Michele A. Enfield, Endwell, NY; Kathryn M. Touhey, Maine, NY; uncles, Stephen F. Zunic Jr, Binghamton, NY; David E. Enfield, Endicott, NY. He is survived by his wife of 23 years Beth Ann Zunic; beloved children, Julianne, Jenna, Rylee, and Sean Zunic; parents, John M. and Diane M. Zunic, Maine, NY; brothers in law William C. Emerson (Marlene), and their children, all of Bloomfield Hills, MI; Robert J. Emerson, Detroit, MI; uncles and aunts, Richard Zunic, Maine, NY; Kenneth (Debbie) Zunic, Maine, NY; Kathleen Zunic, Hellertown, PA; Jack (Kathy) Touhey, Endwell, NY; Tom Touhey, Maine, NY; Terry Touhey, Springfield, MO; his best friend Rusty (Tracy) Knapp, Buffalo, NY; his cousins, Kenny, Danny, Mickey Zunic; Aimee Swisshelm; Ryan (Kari) Touhey; Ali (Jeff) Lipinczyk; JP (Crystal) Touhey; Katelyn (Will), Lanzy; Megan Touhey; Josh (Alyssa) Enfield; Robert (Erin) Enfield; Mikayla Enfield; Thomas Enfield.

Jay graduated from Maine Endwell High School in 1989 where he lettered in both football and lacrosse. He continued his education at Valley Forge Military Academy, PA before attending Ithaca College where he earned his bachelor’s degree and became part of the Ithaca Bombers football team. He loved to show off his 1991 National Championship ring and reminisce about “the glory days” of Ithaca football to anyone he could corner into listening. He earned a masters degree from SUNY Cortland and for the past 25 years taught physical education for the Maine Endwell School district where he also coached football, lacrosse and youth sports. He was always proud of the fact that he was a 2nd generation Spartan and his kids were 3rd.

Jay enjoyed the outdoors: hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and photographing nature especially animals, sunrises and sunsets. He was an avid fan of the Cowboys, Yankees, Lakers and Islanders. He had an abundance of friends and a nick name for everyone.

But his greatest love was his family and his pride and joy were his kids. He’d go to their games often standing on the sidelines by himself watching, trying to keep quiet and not be the coach, but inevitably he’d let loose. He was an amazing husband, father, son, nephew, cousin, and friend… one of a kind. Through it all we loved him, we miss him and we’ll be forever grateful for the gift of him.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, May 21 at the Church of the Holy Family, Endwell, NY, at noon. The family will receive friends from 10:00am until the service begins at the church.

Our family would like to thank Endwell Family Physicians, especially Dr. Bruce Bowling, and UHS Second Floor North Tower Nursing Staff for their compassionate care; Strong Memorial Hospital Palliative care unit, especially Heather Bentson, for the care, kindness and support shown to both Jay and our family.

Expressions of Sympathy may be made to Maine-Endwell Youth Sports via the “Friends of ME Lacrosse” account. This account will disburse the funds among the various youth sports programs. In the check memo please include Jay Zunic and, if desired, designate a specific sport. All ME Youth Sports Programs will benefit. Make checks payable to: Friends of ME Lacrosse and mail to: Beth Zunic, 353 Pollard Hill Rd. Johnson City, NY 13790. Contact bazunic3@gmail.com with questions.