ZVARA, JOHN. Born April 27, 1927, Bridgeport, CT, died August 29, 2017, a resident of Lexington, MA. He married Rose Stillwell of Corpus Christi, TX September 23, 1950, his beloved wife for 57 years until she succumbed to cancer in 2007. He is survived by his 5 children, John, David, William, Diane and James and their spouses, his 3 nieces, 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

John was the youngest of three children raised by Slovak immigrant parents of humble means. He was blessed to grow up in a loving family with a strong faith in Christ. He served in the US Navy from 1945 to 1952, rising to the rank of Lieutenant JG, VA-15 Squadron. During his 3 years as a Naval Aviator he successfully completed 150 aircraft carrier landings, piloting several different fighter planes including the F4U Corsair. He attended Dartmouth, UCLA, and MIT, graduating from MIT with a BS and MS in Aeronautical Engineering (1954, 1955) and the degree of Aeronautical Engineer (1956).

He worked as an Aeronautical Engineer during the NASA space program. He also worked as a specialist in alternative energy and energy efficiency in building design and modernization following the energy crisis in the 1970s. He began his career as a project leader in helicopter rotor research at MIT for 3 years, followed by employment at Raytheon and Kaman AviDyne for 10 years before starting his own engineering firm, Aerospace Systems, Inc. in 1969. In the 1970s he designed and developed the largest office building in New England heated and cooled solely by solar and geothermal technologies, a facility he owned and managed for many years.

John also served in numerous roles at Park Street Church, Boston as a member and lay leader for over 60 years since1953, including Trustee, Elder, Missions Committee member and Chairman of the Building Committee, fulfilling his passion for missions, Christian education and capital development. He gave leadership to numerous capital campaigns for the modernization and expansion of church facilities, including multiple phases of remodeling at historic Zero Park Street, demolition and construction of 1 Park Street, and acquisition and renovation of 2 and 3 Park Street. He also had the distinction of being the player-coach of the church basketball team for many years, on which three of his sons displayed their skills.

He contributed to the cause of Christian Education as founding President of Park Street Kids (pre-school) and Park Street School (K-6), founding Trustee of Boston Trinity Academy (HS) and Trustee of Gordon College for 35 years. He led the capital campaign for the acquisition and modernization of Park Street School, serving as its first President from 2002-2013.

John was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather, and a caring brother to his two sisters. He was an avid tennis player and a passionate supporter of Boston sports teams (converting from Yankees fan to Red Sox Nation when he settled in Lexington). He had a great sense of humor and a happy smile even into his final days. He loved a good limerick and was often known to compose a witty verse for special occasions. He was loved and appreciated by all who knew him.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, Sep. 23 at Park Street Church in Boston at 1 PM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, gifts are suggested "in memory of John Zvara" to Park Street Church (parkstreet.org/give), Park Street School (parkstreetschool.org/ development), or Boston Trinity Academy Scholarship Fund (bostontrinity.org/support-us).