Hudson has lost a true champion. David Zina, known to all as Rocky, passed away on Saturday August 24th, surrounded by his family in the comfort of his home after a period of declining health. He was the cherished son of the late Arthur and Marilyn (Forance) Zina. He leaves behind his loving wife of 26 years, Nancy (DeCenzo) Zina, and his twin sons, Robert and Liam all of Hudson.He is also survived by his brother Arthur and his wife Jan Zina of Winchester, MA, his sister Diane and her husband Gary, who was a beloved friend to Rocky throughout life and through his illness. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his younger brother, Robert ‘Bobby’ in 1973. He leaves behind many brothers and sisters in law as well as many nieces and nephews who he so cherished.
Rocky was born in Hudson on September 19th, 1951. He graduated from Hudson High School in 1969. While in high school Rocky was a valued member of the Basketball Team. He attended Quinsigamond Community College and then pursued his teaching degree at Plymouth State College, where he played basketball, graduating in 1973. After graduation, Rocky taught in the Hudson School System as a Physical Education Teacher at Forest Ave Elementary School and JFK Middle School. He loved to talk of his year abroad teaching at Robert College in Istanbul Turkey. After his year in Turkey, he came back to the US and took a role with the Nashoba Regional School District, teaching at Hale Middle School, ultimately retiring from The Center School in 2010. Never one to sit still, Rocky worked many hours during his summers off from teaching with Joe and Nancy Gill of Westboro Tennis Surfaces.
Over the course of many years Rocky had an impressive coaching career coaching basketball at Hudson High School from the late 1970’s to early 1980’s. He also coached basketball at Assabet Valley High School from the mid 1980’s to the mid 1990’s and coached football at Assabet Valley as well during the 1980’s. He then coached the Hudson High School tennis team for 20 years, retiring after his son Robbie’s final year of tennis in 2019.
Rocky was a beloved teacher but his true talent was coaching. Rocky was also a valued member of the staff at Westborough Tennis Club for many years working alongside his good friend, Tom McDonald. Rocky was inducted into the Hudson High School Hall of Fame in 2013 for his outstanding athletic contribution as a coach. He was also a part of the 2014 Team Induction as a member of the 1983 Central Mass Division III Super Bowl Championship Team for Assabet Valley Regional Vocational High School.
Through his quiet leadership, hundreds of young athletes were taught, not only to play and love their chosen sport, but they were taught what was important in life, courage, kindness, and comradery.
Rocky remained active playing tennis daily with many close friends right up until the Fall of 2023. He could often be found playing tennis on his clay court at his home in Hudson, at Riverside Park where he first learned to play tennis under the tutelage of Hudson tennis legends Ed Krysa and Vic Rimkus, or at Wayside Racquet Club in Marlborough. He also enjoyed his daily hikes with his brother in law Gary and friend Fittzy. Another of Rocky’s favorite sports was cross country skiing which he and Nancy enjoyed doing with their twin sons for many years. Rocky also enjoyed his annual NCAA Final 16 travels with his close friends Bill Hurley and Kevin Fox. He also was a season ticket holder for the New England Patriots for many years. Oh the stories they all have of their times spent together.
Rocky was a man of faith and attended weekly mass at St. Michael’s Church in Hudson.
Rocky was a beloved Husband, Father, Brother and Uncle and his legacy of love and compassion will live on forever in the hearts of not only his family but in the hearts of the thousands of students, athletes and friends whose lives were blessed by his quiet, yet humorous nature.
Our hearts are broken but we know when God met Rocky at Heaven’s gates, He gave him a high five and said “Great game, Rocky, well played!”
“ A Champion is not defined by the trophies they hold, but by the impact they leave on the game and the lives they inspire.”
Services will be held at Tighe Hamilton Funeral home in Hudson on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, from 4-7 pm with a mass of Christian Burial at St. Michael’s church on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 10:00, burial to follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery.
Donations can be made in Rocky’s name to the Michael Carter Lisnow Center, 112 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748
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