Zanowick, 23, was killed June 3 in combat in the Nahr-E Saraj District of Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
From birth, he was known by his nickname.
“Rocky was a 9-pound baby boy. He was such a big, solid baby,” his father recalled. A member of Boy Scouts of America Troops 103 and 402 and Venturing Crew 357, Zanowick participated in sports at Bishop Leibold and Miamisburg High School, where he graduated in 2006. He attended Sinclair Community College before joining the Marines on in 2008.
After news of the death reached the Dayton area June 5, area flags were lowered to half-staff. Hundreds offered on-line condolences from around the country.
Zanowick’s wife, Ryan Lynn, also a Marine, and their 21-month-old son Uriah returned to the Miami Valley from their home in California in anticipation of his return.
Miamisburg Mayor Dick Church recalled the Marine and his father attending City Council meetings and selling popcorn for the Boy Scouts.
“I know over the years I bought several bags because of his salesmanship and again that wonderful smile. I was always impressed with how he and his father bonded,” Church said during a council meeting.
Next Memorial Day, Cpl. Zanowick will become the 74th Miamisburg resident to have died in military conflicts since World War I and to be honored at the city’s annual ceremony, Church said.
Zanowick’s death also brought Sgt. Jonathan Jergens, 26, of Miamisburg home from Fort Bragg, N.C., where he was serving the Army Special Operations Command. Jergens never met Zanowick, but came home to support his sister, Nicole, of Miamisburg.
“We are not a great country because of our wealth, our power, or our influence. We are a great county because great men like Paul, and his family, gave everything to make it so,” Jergens said in a letter to Father Tom Nevels, pastor of the Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church.
On Saturday, Nevels offered a homily during a funeral service at the church.
“There is nothing we can say or do that is going to ease the grief and anguish you suffer, but we hope that our presence and prayers will be of some consolation to you. Know that in some small way we all share in your grief and sorrow,” Nevels said.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, Fla., 32256 or the Uriah Edward Zanowick Trust, 1100 Courthouse Plaza SW, Dayton, OH 45202.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2261 or lbudd@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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