**ATTEND ON YOUR OWN**
ZEQIR “ZIGGY” BERISHA
CALLING HOURS ONLY
CHASE PARKWAY MEMORIAL/ALBINI FAMILY FUNERAL HOME
430 CHASE PARKWAY
WATERBURY, CTÂ 06708
SUNDAY DECEMBER 30, 2018
3PM STAGINGÂ
Zeqir “Ziggy” Berisha
“Father and Patriotâ€Â
Mr. Zeqir “Ziggy†Berisha, 76, of Farrington Avenue in Waterbury, passed away Tuesday, December 25, 2018, after a long battle with heart disease.
Ziggy was born in a village in Sllovi, Kosovo, on April 24, 1942.  His father, Nuh, was a farmer, and his mother, Adilia, died when he was three years old. At that time, Sllovi was under communist rule and in 1962, Ziggy fled and claimed asylum in Austria. He then traveled to Italy and from Rome, he legally entered the U.S. in 1969 through New York City. He immediately landed a job at Scovill Manufacturing in Waterbury.
Shortly thereafter he met the love of his life, Blanca Gutierrez (from Colombia) at an evening English class for immigrants at the old Crosby High School in downtown Waterbury. They were married for 45 years until her death in 2015.  They had five boys from 1970 to 1977.  Ziggy spent most of the 70’s and 80’s as a self-employed laborer and construction worker for local #390.  He was best known as the “Flagman†for his red, white, and blue outfits, his energetic patriotism and love of freedom across parks, events and busy intersections throughout Waterbury.  He will be fondly remembered for his love of veterans, Holy Land, community service, and the flag.
Calling hours will be held Sunday from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
ASC Jack Casey will be RCIC with flags and water on site.Â
Family has requested that PGR be posted at the casket during calling hours.Â
Members can attend for however long they wish.Â
God Bless America, Our Troops and First Responders.
—
William F. Petras III (Skip)
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