Jerry Zullo, who built a restaurant empire in East Boston over nearly five decades while remaining a fixture in the broader Winthrop, Chelsea and East Boston community, passed away on Saturday, February 5 from pneumonia-related complications at the Kaplan Family Hospice in Danvers. A Chelsea native who attended local schools through eighth grade, Zullo left his education in the 1940’s while still young to assist his parents in supporting a household of 11 siblings. “Times were tough back then and he worked from the minute he could to help bring money home to the family,” recalled his daughter Donna Zullo Marquardo, who operates Donna’s Restaurant in Orient Heights Square.
Though Zullo spent his formative adult years in East Boston, he maintained deep roots in his childhood neighborhood. The Zullo family maintained a close relationship with Rocky Marciano, who frequently stayed at their Chelsea home. Several of Zullo’s brothers, Jerry among them, possessed considerable boxing talent. Respected throughout the local area for his quiet demeanor and inner strength, Zullo accomplished much during his lifetime, beginning with humble work.
Starting with odd jobs including shoe shining, Zullo gained street-level knowledge and accumulated savings that would fund his first venture. Before turning sixteen, he established Fields Cleaners in Charlestown and secured a lucrative contract to handle laundry services for U.S. Navy personnel stationed at Charlestown Navy Yard. There he met Loretta Caruana of Medford, whom he married in 1952. The couple relocated from Chelsea to East Boston, initially settling on Beachview Road, then Montmorenci, before eventually moving to Lynnfield and Revere.
Zullo’s restaurant career began with Prime Donuts in Orient Heights Square, followed by Donna’s Spa and Donna’s Italian Kitchen. He later opened Mr. Z’s around the corner, now a butchery. “His whole life was spent in the square,” said Marquardo. Blazing Saddles, a barbecue establishment, became a neighborhood favorite until Zullo sold it following his son Michael’s death in 1986. “He was here every day,” said Marquardo. “He cooked, he cleaned, he waited on customers, he did everything and loved every minute of it.” After a fire destroyed the former Blazing Saddles location, Zullo purchased the land and constructed Donna’s Restaurant, now a popular breakfast destination.
For nineteen years, the tall, slender, white-haired Zullo appeared each early morning at the grill serving customers. “He loved it because the whole family was there,” said Marquardo. “His kids, his grandkids, we all worked there.” This family involvement created the authentic atmosphere Donna’s became known for. “We didn’t just work together, we did everything together,” said Marquardo. “When we would close for vacation he’d take everyone on cruises or rent buses to take the whole family down to Foxwoods.” His generosity extended beyond family circles. “If someone came in and could not pay, my father would feed them and help them out in any way he could,” said Marquardo. “He remembered how tough his upbringing was and just because he was successful he never forgot where he came from. He would give the shirt off his back if he thought someone needed it.” Regular breakfast and lunch patrons called him ‘Papa,’ reflecting his importance to the community. “He also sponsored youth sports teams and donated to the local schools,” said Marquardo. “He was very connected to the community.”
On his final day, the entire family, including grandchildren, gathered as they had for two decades. “He had a suite at the Hospice,” said Marquardo. “So we all slept there so we could be with him when he took his last breath.” At 11:33, Zullo’s breathing stopped and his pulse faded. As Marquardo moved to notify a nurse, something unexpected transpired before she could deliver the news. “Six minutes later he began breathing again and his pulse came back,” said Marquardo. “He held on for another two hours. I don’t think he was ready to say goodbye to us.”