James (Jim) Zoda
James (Jim) Zoda, 64, of Vero Beach, Fla., passed away on Sept. 15 with his loving family by his side.
Jim was born in Buffalo, NY to Santo (Sonny) and Rita Zoda on Aug. 9, 1960 and grew up on the family farm in Brant, NY. A 1978 graduate of Lakeshore High School and later attended Ashland University, Jim finished his education at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America.
His love for cooking led him to work as a chef in the family restaurant for many years in Westfield, NY, and Fort Pierce, Fla. An opportunity to be a chef at the Biltmore Estate brought Jim to Asheville, N.C., spending over 15 years in western Carolina.
He opened Dillsboro Steak and Seafood House and Ironstone Grill in Sylva, N.C. Throughout his life, Jim became a “jack of all trades,” with a career as a contractor, a Realtor, and a car salesman, eventually retiring as a meat department manager at a grocery store.
Jim’s enthusiasm for life was felt in everything he did. A dedicated Buffalo Bills fan, he never missed a chance to cheer on (or curse) his favorite team. Jim looked forward to traveling to Mexico yearly with his beloved wife, Nancy, creating cherished memories under the sun with a cold beer in hand. He could also be found cruising in his Corvette while listening to classic rock music. Jim loved the outdoors, taking pride in his landscaping and gardening, and looked forward to his yearly hunting trips in Georgia.
A skilled chef and baker, Jim’s culinary creations were a labor of love, bringing big smiles (and full stomachs) to family and friends. His crab cakes and New England clam chowder were crowd favorites. He treasured the time spent with his grandchildren, Emery and Finley, especially picnics in Wakulla Springs. Audrey, the family cat, will also miss his gruff affections, revealing a softer side of Jim’s personality (though he may not admit it right away!)
His legacy lives on in the warmth of the kitchen, through reruns of The Andy Griffith Show, in each “Go Bills!”, every time a hilarious childhood story is shared, and in the memories he created with those he loved.
Jim’s impact on his family and community will be deeply felt and long remembered.
Jim is preceded in death by his father, Sonny, and his son, Nicholas (Nick) Zoda. He is survived by his wife Nancy (VeStrand) Zoda; his daughter Charlotte Zoda (Juan Rodriguez) from his first marriage; Nancy’s daughters Janelle Becker (Chris Reilly) and Kristen Becker-Armstrong (Kyle Armstrong); his mother, Rita; siblings John Zoda (Lori Zoda) and Lori Barbato (John Barbato); grandchildren Emery and Finley Zoda (children of Nick and Megan Davis); and many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
The Zoda family wishes to thank the Cleveland Clinic of Weston, Fla., along with the amazing doctors and nurses, for providing outstanding critical care for Jim’s duration in SICU.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made in memory of James Zoda to Mayo Clinic for Scleroderma Research. We ask that this information be included when making gifts to ensure they are designated correctly. Please visit https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donatemc or call 855-852-8129.