James E Zinn

     James E. Zinn, 73, of Magnolia passed away on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. Born in McKeesport, PA on March 13, 1944, he joined his father as a member of Ironworkers Local 451 out of Wilmington, DE following graduation from Laurel (DE) High School in 1963 until an injury on the job required a disability retirement in 1988.  Throughout the three years of apprenticeship and then work as a Journeyman Ironworker in DE-NJ-MD during the day, Jim always found time to enjoy his love of music and dance.

     In the late 1960’s Jim became a faithful member and choreographer of The Uptown Dancers, Jim lead the dance group which accompanied The Uptown Band show at the Baltimore Civic Center as the opening act for Dave Clark Five, The Beach Boys, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Bobby Sherman, and many other top music acts of the time. Jim was known throughout the Eastern seaboard for his amazing talent for any dance.  Jim’s love of dance took him to Ft. Lauderdale Beach, FL where he became the DJ of a very popular area discotheque and learned the newest dance craze, Disco.  He brought the music and the dance back to Delaware becoming the house DJ and dance instructor at the ‘Side Door’ in Dover, DE in the late 70’s.  Jim played at dance clubs throughout Delaware; Ocean City, MD; and Philadelphia, PA.  After the union job site industrial fall in 1988, Jim went to the Institute of Audio Research in Greenwich Village, NYC for audio recording and became the night manager-sound tech for Studio 4 \ Ruffhouse Records in Philadelphia , PA until the studio was bought by Sony Records and moved to New York.

     In his later years until his death his new love interest was playing pool.  Jim was a team member on both an APA 8-ball and 9-ball league; played on a team that was sent to Las Vegas, NV for tournament play; loved teaching new players the game; and always enjoyed playing in area tournaments as a team-member or as an individual player.

     Preceded in death by his parents; father, James W Zinn; mother, Dorothy Irene (Livingston) Zinn; and half-sister, Bea Chamets, McKeesport, PA.  He leaves to cherish his memory his loving devoted wife of 36 years, Vicki Shaner Zinn; father and mother-in-law, Robert K and Shirley Shaner, Clayton, DE; sister-in-law, Peggy (Ron) Torgerson, Estero, FL; brother-in-law, Steve R. Shaner, Lawton, OK; nephews: Robert S (Sarah) Shaner who was so loving supportive and available these last few years of need; Michael Chamets, McKeesport, PA; and nieces: Bonnie Zimmerman, Monongahela, PA; Kathy (Lou) DiMieri, New Castle, DE; Dottie (Jeff) Turpyn, Monongahela, PA; Stephanie A Shaner, Fort Worth, TX; Kari (Jacob) Easson, Stillwater, OK; Danielle M Shaner, Lawton, OK; and 12 adoring great-nephews and nieces.

     A ‘Celebration of Life’ memorial luncheon will be held on Sunday, June 4, 2017 at Frazier’s Restaurant in Dover, DE from 1 –to– 4 pm.  Burial will be private.  In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favorite charity. Online condolences may be made via www.pippinfuneralhome.com.

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