Gabriel Zihal

August 8, 1923 - July 18, 2012

Gabriel Zihal, 88 died Wednesday July 18, 2012 at McCarrick Care Center in Somerset, NJ. He was born in Litmanova, Czechoslovakia the son of the late Vasil and Maria Zihal. After immigrating to the United States Of America in 1954 he settled in Brooklyn, NY. He then moved to Branchburg, NJ before moving to Manville, NJ where he had been a resident for the past 24 years. He was most recently a resident of Somerset, NJ. Mr. Zihal was a banker at the Morgan Guarantee Bank in New York City, NY for 23 years before retiring in 1986. Mr. Zihal was devoted to his faith and was a very active member of St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church in Hillsborough, NJ. He loved spending time with his family and friends. He was a Cantor at St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church in Hillsborough, NJ for the past 20 years and was a member of the Holy Name Society. Prior to that he was a Cantor at St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church in New York City, NY for 30 years. Mr. Zihal was also the Choir Director for the Metropolitan New York Choir from 1972 to 1982. He was recently predeceased by his wife Helen Zihal on May 26, 2012. He is survived by several nieces and nephews. The viewing will be on Friday July 20, 2012 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM at the Ketusky Funeral Home, 1310 Brooks Blvd., Manville, NJ.(908)575-8512. The Parastas will take place at 7:30 PM during the evening viewing. The Funeral will be on Saturday July 21, 2012 9:00 AM from the Ketusky Funeral Home to be followed by a 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy at St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church in Hillsborough, NJ. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Hillsborough, NJ. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to: St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church, 1900 Brooks Blvd. Hillsborough, NJ 08844. For additional information please visit our website at www.ketusky.com.