In memory of Nicholas

By Jeannie O’Sullivan
Times Staff Writer

Nicholas Zangara’s left bicep might have left many with the impression that he was quite the player. But to Brooke, Michelle and Natalie — the names tattooed on his arm — Zangara was a loving uncle.
"He loved kids. Any kids," said Zangara’s stepmother, Bridget Zangara, as she wiped droplets from her eyelashes.
Tears still flowed a year after Army Spec. Nicholas Zangara, who grew up in West Torresdale, was killed in Tikrit, Iraq, when an explosive device reportedly detonated near his convoy vehicle. Zangara, 21 when he died, was buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Cheltenham.
Even on a tour of military duty, Zangara took time to make youths feel special. One time in Germany, where his infantry division was stationed, he’d spent $300 on a crane-arm toy machine in a bowling alley to make sure a group of poor kids had toys.
Family and friends gathered at the Liberty Bell Youth Organization, where Zangara once played sports, on Sunday for the unveiling of a black granite bench dedicated to the fallen soldier. It sits under the flagpole on the northwest corner of Red Lion and Calera roads.
Amid the Family Fun Day activities at Liberty Bell, a crowd that included City Councilmen Brian O’Neill (R-10th dist.) and Jack Kelly (R-at large) saluted a guy with a generous spirit but a mind of his own.
"I told him he wasn’t going to go to war or anything," said Zangara’s father, Richard. "He never listened to me before, but the one time he did . . ."
The U.S. Army beckoned when Zangara left George Washington High School after his junior year. At the urging of Richard, and Zangara’s stepfather, Ed Burgstahler, a retired Philadelphia police officer and Army reservist, Nick decided to enlist.
School may not have been his schtick. The Army was.
He left for boot camp in Fort Sill, Okla., in March 2000 and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Infantry Division in Schweinfurt, Germany. Last year, Zangara’s infantry division, the Charlie Company, went to Kuwait and was dispatched to Iraq for a 13-month tour.
Zangara had built a reputation as an outstanding artilleryman when his commander, Capt. Michael Byard, first met him.
"As I was evaluating the squads during the training, a handful of soldiers stood out. He was one of those stars," said Byard, who spoke at Sunday’s dedication ceremony. "He continually looked for ways to improve himself as well as train the other members of his squad."
"Z," as Zangara was called, quickly mastered tasks, but it was his drive and motivation that inspired and energized the Charlie Company, noted Byard.
He also had a wisecracking edge and a sense of humor that eased stressful situations.
"Since he and I were the two (Philadelphia) Eagles fans out of all the guys, we mostly enjoyed telling everyone how Philadelphia would dominate the NFL last year," said Byard, who is from Trenton.
Few failed to notice Zangara’s warmth and jovial air. Richard admired his son’s character, which he said was different from his own reserved manner.
"I used to say, ‘Nicky, you talk to everybody. What’s with that?’" said Richard.
Lavish praise is the norm at memorial services, but it’s entirely in order in this case, said Burgstahler, the soldier’s stepfather.
"I know it sounds like a common thing to say, but it really is accurate," Burgstahler said. "Nick touched everybody in some way."
It was a personality that helped keep a fragmented family connected. Nick’s parents divorced when he was a baby. Richard later married Bridget, and Burgstahler is husband to Barbara, Zangara’s mother. Zangara is also survived by a brother, Richie, 31, and a stepbrother, Joe Bellosi, 27.
When Nick would visit, his family got together, no matter what.
Bellosi didn’t feel like a stepbrother. As far as Zangara had been concerned, they were blood.
The tattoo on the left side of Bellosi’s chest bears the image of Nick, the same likeness imprinted on the bench.
"Right next to my heart," said Bellosi. "It’s where he belongs." ••
Nicholas Zangara’s family is planning to establish a memorial fund to benefit children’s charities. Check future issues of the Northeast Times for donation information.
Reporter Jeannie O’Sullivan can be reached at 215-354-3038 or osullivanj@phillynews.com