Honoring Arthur D. Zammit: Help with End-of-Life Costs

The family of Arthur Dale Zammit is requesting assistance to offset his end-of-life costs and, in lieu of flowers, to provide a gift for his end-of-life caregiver. Any remaining amounts will be donated to the Humane Society due to Art's incredible love of animals. Art's life was a beautiful one, and he helped out so many friends and family members with their journey in this world. As he leaves us to rest in eternal peace, we are hopeful that costs associated with his death will be reduced with assistance from the kindness of those who loved him or generous strangers.

Arthur Dale Zammit, age 86, passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2024. Born at the end of the Depression on November 6, 1937, to Yolanda and Charles Zammit, Art, the eldest of three children, was the first Zammit to be born in the United States. He was incredibly proud of his Maltese heritage as he simultaneously worked hard to obtain the American dream. Graduating high school at 14, Arthur went on to the University of Detroit, where he studied to be a dentist. Fate had other plans for him, however, and he was asked to serve in U.S. Intelligence. The government sent him to the Army Language School in Monterey, California (now the Defense Language Institute) to learn Arabic. Art eventually spoke seven languages and served in the Army as a cryptographer in Northern Africa. While in California, he met and married his first love, Roz, and had a daughter, Deirdre. After leaving the service, he returned to Detroit newly divorced and joined Ford Motor Company, where he met Norma. Art and Norma married in 1964, had daughter Leah, and remained married until Norma's death in 2020.

Art's position at Ford served to transport the family all over the world until he was offered a dealership in Tampa, Florida, in 1979. In addition to maintaining Bay Ford Truck Sales, Art also opened Peterbilt of Tampa and consulted with Leyland-DAF in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. In this role, he traveled throughout Europe, Scandinavia, the (then) USSR, Turkey, Egypt, and all throughout the continent of Africa. He loved to regale anyone who would listen about his travels and the marvels he experienced, but he cherished living in Florida and brought his parents to live out their days in the sun.

After retiring in 1998, Art and Norma settled in The Villages, Florida, and Art was able to devote his time to his true passion in life—golf! He played almost every day and spent the "off days" hosting friends to martinis and cigars in his Man Cave. Art was one of those lucky souls who developed and maintained lifelong friendships, many lasting over 70 years. He loved watching college basketball, playing cards, interacting with animals, and fine wine. Most of all, he loved his grandchildren, Alexander and Luke (from Leah) and Brendan and Lauren (from Deirdre).

As the ravages of age and illness began to take their toll, Art relocated in 2023 to Marietta, Georgia, to be close to daughter Leah. During the final weeks of his life, he was beautifully cared for by Leah, his grandson Alexander, and caregivers Miss Sharon and Miss Angel. The family is eternally grateful for the compassion and love provided in his final days.

Art is predeceased by his parents, his sister Emily, and his wife Norma. He leaves behind brother Gary (Kristin), daughters Deirdre and Leah, and four beloved grandchildren: Alexander (Tery), Luke, Brendan (Savannah), and Lauren, as well as great-grandchildren (from Brendan and Lauren). He also leaves behind friends that became family, specifically the Reeds and the Gibbons, who gave so much time, love, and laughter to him.