John E. Zwolinski

John E. Zwolinski 95, of Warwick, son of the late John Zwolinski and Helen Marie (Valley) Zwolinski passed away peacefully surrounded by family at home on November 20, 2022.

He was preceded in death by his wife Marjorie (Mitchell) Zwolinski, sister Lorraine Martinelli, son John E. Zwolinski Jr. and son in law Norman Jakeman.

He leaves behind a brother Norman Zwolinski, a sister Lillian (Zwolinski) Pease, his children, Ronald Zwolinski (Betty-Jo), Rose Marie Zwolinski, Gregory Zwolinski (Theresa), Keith Zwolinski (Melissa), and Kim Zwolinski. He has 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren.

To many, he was dad and grandpa but to most he is remembered as Johnny Z. Born in Warwick, RI he enlisted in the Navy in 1944 and served until 1946 at which time he was awarded a Victory Medal. In August 1946, he married the love of his life of 73 years.

He spent most his life on the water. He was a shell fisherman for 17 years before working at Electric Boat in Groton, CT. He worked in Groton for 15 years and then transferred to Quonset Point until 1979. He was the first person in RI to get a mortgage from the bank with the occupation of a shell fisherman. He was the top man every day with his haul. He was a hard worker and would frequently reminisce with his sons and grandsons boasting to be “the best quahoger on the bay”.

In 1983, he retired and moved to Florida. He spent many years there with his wife in the Sebastian area. After 19 years, they moved back to Rhode Island to be with family.

He was a free Mason. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, blue crabbing, and hunting. He was an outdoorsman. He had a love for animals and spent some time raising English Setters. Later in life he enjoyed traveling with his wife. They would travel the coastline by RV in pursuit of the best seafood, camping along the way with their dogs Zeke, Fluffy and Daisy.

Once his wife passed in 2018 he spoke of her daily and missed her beyond belief. We are peace knowing that they have been reunited once again.

His funeral and burial will be private.