John H. Zurlo ’60
John H. Zurlo, Champlain, NY, died December 11, 2024. Saint Michael’s College’s Alumnus of the Year in 2020, John served on the Alumni Board of Directors from 2020 to 2024.
Born in Plattsburgh, John earned his Saint Michael’s degree in business administration and later a business-teaching master’s degree from SUNY-Albany (1965). He was a business teacher and department head at Northeastern Clinton Central School for 34 years, also coaching baseball and golf.
John was heavily involved in his community. He was a past president of the Rouses Point Kiwanis Club, Champlain Central Teacher’s Association, Teacher’s Federal Credit Union, and the local Youth Hockey Association. He also was a member of the Board of Directors at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) as well as the Corporate Board and a member of the Board of Directors at St. Mary’s Mission Center, Knights of Columbus Council #3525, Plattsburgh Lodge of Elks #621, Plattsburgh Rotary International, Lake Champlain Citizens Advisory Committee, and the Saint Michael’s Alumni Board of Directors.
John was active at his home Catholic Parish, St. Mary’s in Champlain, as a greeter, parish council member, trustee and Eucharistic Minister. At the time of his death, John was in his seventh term as the Clinton County Clerk. He also served as an Executive Vice Chair of the County Republican Committee and was formerly the Town of Champlain Republican Committee Chair. He also chaired the County Employee Heart Walk and the County Employee United Way.
John, along with his wife, Mary, were chosen as King and Queen of the 1983, Northern Tier Winter Carnival, 1995 Heart Ball and the 2009 BHSN Mardi Gras. He was also the recipient of many awards such as the Woodman of the World Citizen of the Year, the Masonic DeWitt Clinton Community Service Award, the Chamber of Commerce’s 2010 “Irishman of the Year” and the 2020 Saint Michael’s College Alumnus of the Year. He had a wide reputation as a kind and welcoming man and public servant.
He was a political legend with Clinton County, having served in electoral positions for over 50 years as a tax collector, county legislator and county clerk. He served as county clerk more years than anyone in Clinton County history. He also was a President’s Medallion supporter of the College.
John is survived by his wife, Mary, of Champlain, two sons, a brother and extended family.