By John Newcomb
Paul Zucca, a resident on the east side Grant Park for over 33 years, passed unexpectedly at his home on October 31. Paul was an avid supporter and advocate for the neighborhood, southeast Atlanta and the city. He lead through his service on numerous committees and boards and in various organizations. He was active at the city, county and state levels. He felt honored and obliged to serve anywhere his efforts might benefit others.
Paul was an early supporter of the Neighborhood Charter School and the Atlanta Charter Middle School before they merged. He felt that every child, including those living in the Porch Press area, deserved a quality education. Our family later benefitted from these schools when our son, Dylan attended and thrived there.
Early on after moving from midtown he served as President of the Grant Park Neighborhood Association and then Chairman of Neighborhood Planning Unit-W for a number of years. Under his stewardship and guidance all of the neighborhoods – East Atlanta, SAND and Grant Park – made great strides strengthening bonds in the area – and securing the attention and respect to ensure our neighborhoods progressed. He helped to obtain the resources needed to achieve results that were needed and desired. Paul excelled in bridging opposing views, leading to results that benefitted the entire community.
Paul led as a representative to Zoo Atlanta for many years. He viewed the zoo as a great neighborhood asset that needed to be promoted and protected. This view was true about many aspects of our community and he put the view into action.
Over the years he supported and helped many political candidates who became important to our area of town. He was a leader in the Democratic Party always with an eye towards gaining responsible representation at all levels of government but especially local. In return the politicians appreciated him not only for his support but also as a strategist, and communicator. I have heard from many city leaders who want to speak at Paul’s memorial service, even some who he did not support when they ran for office.
That speaks to his people skills. He grew up in New York State, went on to college in Maine graduating after studies in government and political affairs. He then studied further at Loyola University in Chicago before coming to Atlanta and seeking a Law Degree. He worked for the state of Georgia in Health and Human Services helping to bring healthcare to the south side of Atlanta. Then he became point man in communications for the Georgia Department of Transportation as they hit rough going trying to plan expanded interstate highways through Atlanta.
Through it all, he never met a stranger and always went the extra mile to make sure everyone felt welcome, valued and important. This trait was especially evident as he and I traveled the world meeting a wide assortment of people and experiencing their varied customs. Eventually we acquired two high volume International House of Pancakes Restaurants. We were together for 47 years.
Of all his various achievements, Paul considered the greatest and most rewarding one was partnering with me to raise our son, Dylan, and adding our daughter-in-law, Andrea to the family when she and Dylan were married. But Paul’s greatest joy was the arrival of our grandchildren Lillianah and Braxton. He was a very proud grandfather.
Paul’s memorial service was held at Sacred Heart of Mary Basilica in downtown Atlanta. His smiling face and generous personality will be greatly missed not only in our family but across our community. Donations in his memory can be made to Zoo Atlanta.
John Newcomb was Paul Zucca’s life partner for 47 years through all of Pauls’ endeavors, even before the two purchased their house in Grant Park. John remembers that in their early years in Grant Park, friends from other parts of Atlanta would not feel safe to visit them. Thanks to them and others, that is no longer the case.
