Robert J. Zora, 97, of Marion, died Monday, June 15, at Tobey Hospital in Wareham. He was the husband of the late Florence L. (Akins) Zora.

Born in Marion, he was the son of the late Joseph S. and Anna (Medeiros) Zora. Mr. Zora worked for many years as a shellfisherman. He was a previous resident of Rochester for over 60 years.

Mr. Zora served in the U.S. Navy during both World War II and the Korean conflict.

During World War II, he was a Navy Armed Guard on several ships including one of which was the Kentuckian He completed U.S. Navy salvage school and served as Gunner’s Mate second class on board the USS Boxer CV-21. He was a proud member and past commander of the Benjamin D. Cushing V.F.W. Post # 2425 in Marion.

He was a beautiful man as kind as he was strong.

Survivors include his children, Robin Zora and her husband David Besse and Donna Greenwood and her husband Bernard all of Marion, and Timothy Zora and his wife Jackie of Buzzards Bay; his sisters, Nancy Clarke and Pauline Hiller both of Marion; his grandchildren, Brett and Bridget Greenwood, Tristan and Kiernan Besse, and Raymond and Ryan Sprague; his great grandchildren, Cole R. Greenwood, Daniel Sprague and Cleo Besse; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings, the late Edward Zora, Joseph Zora, and Jeannette Turnbull.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24 at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. (appropriate COVID - 19 protocol will be observed including the use of face masks and social distancing).

Donations in his memory may be made to the Marion Fire Donation Account c/o Marion Fire Department, 50 Spring St., Marion MA 02738. Arrangements by Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Wareham. To leave a message of condolence visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com