Lewis J. Zapko, Jr.

Lewis J. Zapko, Jr., 88, of Washington, NJ, formerly of Flemington, NJ, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2026. He was born on May 11, 1937, in Somerville, NJ, to the late Louis Zapko and Mae (Edmonds) Zapko.

Lew was a graduate of Flemington High School, Class of 1955, and attended Rider College. He proudly served in the United States Army from 1958-1962, stationed in Hanau, Germany, as part of the Air Recovery Unit. One benefit of his service was that he later used his GI Bill to earn his commercial pilot’s license and enjoyed flying the plane he co-owned with his father.

After returning home, Lew began his career at the Flemington Post Office. It was there that he met Barbara, a legal secretary who would drop off mail each day. Wasting no time, Lew asked out “the prettiest one,” and she became his wife. Lew and Barbara were married in 1965 and shared over 60 wonderful years together.

In 1980, Lew made a career change into the concrete industry, working for Hunterdon Concrete, Mensing Concrete, and ultimately Haines & Kibblehouse (Easton Block & Supply/Rahn’s Concrete), where he spent 21 years before retiring in 2011. It is said that on his last day, he left behind more than 10,000 unopened emails—a detail that brought a smile to those who knew him. He also briefly co-owned The Station Break Bar & Restaurant.

Lew spent most of his life in Flemington before moving in 2019 to the Hawke Pointe community in Washington, NJ. There, he embraced the “front porch” lifestyle and formed many meaningful friendships that remained close to him through his final days.

A lifelong musician, Lew was best known locally as a drummer for more than 30 years. He played with The Ascots, Rebel and the Raiders, The (Semi-Amazing!) Shotguns, and The Sons of the Whiskey Rebellion. He often joked that he had played in every “shot and beer” establishment in Hunterdon County—and by most accounts, he had. His bands performed at countless weddings, leading him to say he had witnessed more marriages than a preacher. A dedicated member of the Flemington Elks, Lew also held the distinction of performing at 11 consecutive New Year’s Eve celebrations there.

Lew was, above all, a devoted family man and a loyal friend. Known for his quick wit and endless supply of dad jokes long before they had a name, he brought laughter wherever he went. In later years, he developed a love of travel, especially enjoying trips and all-inclusive cruises with close friends. He was also a passionate car enthusiast. In retirement, he treated himself to his dream car—a 1969 GTO convertible—and took great pride in showing it at local car shows throughout Hunterdon and Warren counties. His greatest pride though, was becoming “G-Pa” in 2008 to his beloved grandchildren, Taylor and Brody.

Lew is survived by his loving wife, Barbara (Dabkowski) Zapko; his daughter, Tracy Baykowski and her husband, Glenn, of Glen Gardner, NJ; his son, Jamie Zapko and his wife, Rita Devlin Zapko, of San Marcos, CA; and his cherished grandchildren, Taylor and Brody Baykowski; as well as his nephew, James Michael Zapko, Jr. He was predeceased by his brother, James Zapko, in 2024.

Funeral services will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 3:00 PM in the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Interment in the family plot at Saint Magdalen Cemetery, North Main Street, Flemington, NJ will follow. There will be a visitation on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 12 Noon until the time of the service in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306 OR by clicking the link below.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822. For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.