Dr. George Edward Zito, 67, of Wadsworth, Ohio, passed away after sustaining a traumatic brain injury at his home on July 31, 2017.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Andrew and Janice Zito; sister and brother-in-law Niki and Alan Balter; and his beloved son Isaac Zito.

He is survived by his long-time partner Carol Eggert; his cherished grandson Felix and mother Ellen Fannin-Zito; Eugene and Viki Longfield of St. Louis, nephews Erick (Sarah and children Jaden and Ashlyn); Jason (Leslie and children Colton and Eloise); Mandy and Jon Calvin (daughter Ava); Douglas and Shelley Eggert (daughter Avery) and numerous cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.

George attended Ohio State and became a lifelong Buckeye fan. He attended Baylor Medical School and Columbia University in NYC for his neurology residency. He was an associate professor of clinical neuroscience at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark. He lived in Fort Lee across the Hudson River from NYC; when asked where he lived, he always said Manhattan, where he frequented the museums and enjoyed the culture. He not only taught medical students but became their mentor and friend, influencing the lives of hundreds of aspiring neurologists. George received the Excellence in Teaching awards from the UMDNJ’s foundation, attesting to his 15 years of successful teaching. Five minutes of humor and fun peppered each of his 50-minute neuroscience or neurology lectures. Cartoons–many his own–jokes, often about himself, and chat about theater, films, and other “not pertinent matter” gave his students a chance to “smile and come up for air.” He often said good teachers respect their students and teaching is the reason for the medical school. “We’re here to make good physicians.”

The most important part of his life was family. He enjoyed participating in family events and livened every celebration with hand-designed cards and multiple photographs. He felt that if “there wasn’t a photo, it didn’t happen.” He was a loving grandfather who enjoyed playing with his kiddos. He traveled frequently to spend time with his grandson Felix in Olympia, WA. He grew up in Wadsworth and returned there to build his first house and once again became active in the community. He was a lifelong lover of films, books, arts, the New York Times crossword puzzles, and learning about the world around him. He was a daily walker and spent many hours walking or hiking through the national parks, recently participating in 5Ks to support various causes in the community.

The world will be a less colorful, interesting place without him. An unfillable void will remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

A memorial service will be conducted 4:30pm, Sunday, August 13, 2017 at the Hilliard-Rospert Funeral Home, 174 N. Lyman St., Wadsworth. The family will receive friends from 3:00 until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: the Wadsworth Library Foundation atwww.wadsworthlibrary.com/donate , the Dr. George Zito Medical Student Scholarship Fund, C/O Wadsworth City Schools, 524 Broad St., Wadsworth, OH 44281 or the charity of your choice.