Anthony "Tony" Ross Zito, 79, of Littleton, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on Sunday, March 26, 2023. 

Tony was born on April 21, 1943 to Katherine Liberty Hempel and Ross Bernard Zito, and grew up in the area of North Braddock, PA. 

He proudly served our country as a United States Marine for 26 years as an airborne radio operator/loadmaster; and retired as a Master Gunnery Sergeant in 1990. 

He then worked in various roles with the Boy Scouts of America, Beaufort County Developmental Center, Inc. and then briefly with Pitt County Schools at Pactolus Elementary before retiring to Lake Gaston in 2013.

Tony is survived by his wife of 21 years, Lori Zito and their 3 rescued fur-kids: Sara, Izzy and Luna; as well as his two sons: Scott Zito and Keith Zito, both of Fuquay Varina.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, April 2 at 2pm at Lakeside Lutheran Church (2427 Eaton Ferry Rd. Littleton, NC, with Rev. Scott Benson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Greater Littleton Development Partnership, PO Box 602, Littleton, NC 27850 or Roanoke Valley Veterans Museum, 102 E. North Main Street, Littleton, NC 27850.

Friends may sign the online register by visiting www.hockadayfs.com