Michael Edmund Zalot

Michael Edmund Zalot, 76, of Burlington, passed away on February 25, 2023 at Virtua (Lourdes) Hospital in Willingboro.  He was born March 30, 1947, in Philadelphia, PA.  Mike was a loving father, devoted grandfather, teacher, musician, writer, and auctioneer, and was involved in his local church community, and local politics.  He played on the All Saints’ Church Choir in Burlington, musically directing the Saturday night folk mass for more than three decades.  A lifelong practicing Catholic, he had most recently been a member at Corpus Christ Church in Willingboro, where he also served on the choir.  He was a vocalist and guitarist, and also played accordion and harmonica.  Even through he favored Bob Dylan and Simon and Garfunkel, he was proud of the fact that he knew and could perform songs from his grandparents’ time. Mike graduated from the college now known as The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), and was a career teacher.  After starting in Catholic schools, he spent most of his career at Willingboro High School, primarily teaching English for more than three decades.  He was a licensed auctioneer, and ran C&M Auctioneers out of Burlington.  He loved history and antiques, and in particular, numismatics, collecting historic United States coins.  His love of history—combined with a desire to make a difference—led him to his decades-long involvement with the Burlington City Board of Island Managers (est. 1682), for which he had served several times as past president. He loved the shore, in particular the Wildwoods, where he vacationed annually when possible for most of his life.  Fishing was his favorite activity there, and he also liked the boardwalk as well.  Mike enjoyed traveling to Williamsport, PA, to visit with his extended in-law family.  He was married to Cheryl Catherine Gephart (d. 2022) for more than 26 years.  They had two children.  A writer and poet, Mike enjoyed posting his creations on social media to share with his extended circle of online friends.  He expressed pride in his Polish heritage and he enjoyed entertaining family and friends with traditional Polish food. He is survived by his sister Nancy, his son Michael, his daughter Jamie, his two grandchildren, Jess and Joshua, and his beloved dog Sandy, whom he was seldom seen without.  He will be missed by all who knew him, including his friends and family, former students, and those who enjoyed his music, both secular and sacred.  His song now is with the heavens, and his soul joins with Helen and Edmund, his beloved parents.  We invite you to remember him with kindness and song. A viewing will be held Friday, March 3, 2023 from 9-10:15am at Corpus Christi RC Church, 11 S. Sunset Rd. Willingboro. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am. Burial will follow in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Jacksonville Rd., Burlington. Arrangements are under the direction of the Page Funeral Home, Burlington where messages of sympathy may be sent to the family through www.pagefuneralhome.com.

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