Pierre A. Zacharie

Pierre Zacharie, 86, of West Hartford left his family and friends on Wednesday August 19th after an extended illness. Pierre was born in Rodez, France in 1928. As a boy, Pierre lived on a farm in the French countryside learning the joys and skills of living off the earth decades before “farm to table” became the fashion. He could forage the woods even here in Connecticut and come away with mushrooms that would make any three star chef envious. There was never anything to be overlooked or wasted. After serving with distinction in the French military in French Indochina for four years, Pierre moved to Paris where he worked for Kodak and lived the life of a young bon vivant in the City of Lights. In 1952 he was afforded the opportunity for emigration sponsorship and made the choice to move to America. After crossing the Atlantic on the USS Ryndam and being processed through Ellis Island, he settled in Mt. Kisco, New York. While studying English as a second language Pierre met a lovely French ingénue named Jeannine. One year later in May 1955 Pierre made Jeannine his bride and she has remained so for the last 59 years. After living for many years in Mt. Kisco, and later Bedford Hills NY, and having their son Robert, Pierre and Jeanine moved to Hartford in 1963 and later West Hartford, Connecticut, where they added their daughter Lisa to their family in 1968. Pierre spent his early years in America working on farms in New York state and later worked in the trucking industry after moving to Connecticut. Eventually his love of adventure and travel called him “over the road” into the moving business where Pierre spent the next 35 years traveling the country as an owner/operator first for Mayflower Van Lines and later for North American Van Lines. He had an uncanny knowledge of every mile of the lower 48 and could describe details of avenues in cities and lanes in country townships. Not only street names, but specific details like the fact that there was a restaurant on a NE corner that had the best spaghetti and meatballs in the country, closed on Sunday (Salt Lake City, just so you know). After retiring from cross country travel, Pierre pursued private chauffeuring in his retirement years. He always loved 4 wheels and the open road! The Zacharies are well known in the community and have a large circle of devoted friends in addition to a large extended family in France. Pierre and Jeannine maintained close contact with family in France, continued to maintain a home there and returned back frequently. Pierre was a simple and quiet but strong and gentle man. He loved nothing more than a quiet Sunday afternoon with his family at the table, sharing the week and drinking a good French wine. He was generous with those he cared about in many ways, with his time and skills and support. And only those who knew him well also know that he had a voice that rivaled many operatic stages. His baritone could shake the walls. Now he can sing with the angels. He will be missed by many. In addition to his wife Jeannine, Pierre leaves behind two children, Lisa and Robert, daughter-in-law Susan Zacharie & two beloved grandchildren, Jessica and Alexander. The family would like to thank his many doctors and the staff at St. Francis hospital for the care and support they provided to both Pierre and his family throughout his illness. Funeral services will be Saturday, August 23, 2014 with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. in St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 872 Farmington Ave. West Hartford. Friends and family may call Friday from 5-7 p.m. at the Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave. West Hartford. Burial will be in France. Donations in lieu of Flowers to: American Heart Association, or National Kidney Foundation.

Pierre A. Zacharie

August 19, 2014