Michael B. Zorovich

Shrewsbury - Mike Zorovich dubbed himself ‘Big Daddy’ at the birth of his first grandchildren (twins) rather than settle for another traditional name for this new, welcomed and much-loved role of grandfather. But the nickname carried much further than his 15 grandchildren. All of his family, immediate and extended, as well as their friends and people he knew everywhere called him ‘Big Daddy,’ and he loved it! Big Daddy died unexpectedly, but peacefully, at home on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. He was 76 years young.

Michael Brian Zorovich was born July 19, 1948 in Miami Shores, FL, a son of the late Michael J. and Elizabeth ‘Betty’ (Ivanovich) Zorovich. The oldest of 6 children, Mike graduated from Archbishop Curley High School where he was the captain of the football team. It is also where he met Sandra L. Mortimer, the captain of the cheerleading squad, in their sophomore year. They would later marry on August 9, 1969 in St. Rose of Lima Church in Miami Shores. (All six of their children would later attend and graduate from their high school alma mater.) He earned a degree from Miami Dade Junior College in Aeronautical Services.

Mike earned his pilot’s license at 16 years of age, and at 19 years of age, he took his first job flying commercial airplanes for Florida Atlantic Airlines in Fort Lauderdale. He sailed and raced boats for pleasure in New York and Miami. He also operated commercial fishing boats and various recreational boats which formed his love for fishing. Mike loved Corvette sports cars owning several over the years. (The best was when he came home to his Sandy and his 6 children after trading in a station wagon for a 2-seater, vintage 1967 Corvette... Sandy had given him her blessing, while she continued to drive the stretch van!) Adding to his hobbies, he drove large trucks, motorcycles and dune buggies and even found time to scuba dive.

Mike enjoyed a long and successful career in fabric and textiles beginning with The Graber Company in Florida. He and Sandy then moved the family to Irving, TX, where they owned and operated a shade and blind manufacturing company, Creative Window Works. Mike and Sandy moved to back to Miami Shores to be close to family again. In 2000, they moved to Shrewsbury, MA, and quickly loved being newly adopted New Englanders. Mike was an independent sales representative throughout New England. At various times, he held positions as regional sales manager and then was promoted to national sales manager. He was a product development manager and eventual Vice President of International Sales in textiles and crafts commuting weekly from Shrewsbury to Toronto, Canada where he was based for several years.

In later years, Mike was coined ‘Shrewber.’ (Shrewsbury Uber) as he enjoyed a small transportation business for family, friends, customers and, often times, his kids and grandkids. Making small trips to Dunkin Donuts or Chick-fil-A for his grands or transporting them to sports practices, etc, to taking friends and customers to and from any airports in the region, to driving his adult children and their friends to shows, restaurants and concerts and to even driving strangers to NYC because they missed their tour bus!

Big Daddy’s office at their home on Meadowbrook Circle in Shrewsbury is literally wallpapered with photos of his family, primarily his pride and joy, 15 grandkids and a great grandson. He took an active role as ‘Big Daddy’ and was always present at the hockey rink. He would drive all over New England to watch his grandkids’ games on the ice! He didn’t miss soccer and lacrosse games either, always on the sidelines. And at all the sporting events, he would proudly wear his legendary Big Daddy jacket. He was there for virtually all school activities from sports to recitals to graduations, pre-school through college! If Big Daddy was anything, he was always present...with a presence!

In addition to his wife of 55 years, Sandy, he leaves his children, Kristen L. Ward (Art) of Shrewsbury, MA, Michael G. Zorovich (Kimberly) of Cape Coral, FL, Alison J. Zorovich of Shrewsbury, MA, Brian G. Zorovich (Nicole Guttermuth) of Easley, SC, Kenneth C. Zorovich (Samantha) of Cooper City, FL, and Megan E. McManus (Tim) of Shrewsbury, MA; son-in-law, Anthony Finlay; grandchildren, Kevin J. Ward (Rolinda), Colin M. Ward, Matthew A. Ward, Lillian A. ‘Lilly’ McManus, Kaylee E. Zorovich, Samuel M.‘Sam’ McManus, Lauren K. Zorovich, Michael B. ‘Mikey’ Zorovich, Margaret R. ‘Maggie’ McManus, Nicholas E. ‘Nick’ McManus, Emma J. Zorovich, Ryan P. McManus, Jake A. Finlay, James L. Zorovich and Liv S. Finlay; his great-grandson, Arthur R. Ward.

He also leaves his siblings, Lisa M. Zorovich of Little Egg Harbor, NJ, Claudia H. Zorovich (late Tom Knieriem) of Bradenton, FL, and Betty Jane ‘B.J.’ Franco (Mickey) of Jacksonville, FL; his dear in-laws, Linda and Vince DiGiorno of Naples, FL and Claudia and Dave McNulty of Vero Beach, FL; he also leaves all of their families, his beloved nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Mike was predeceased by his brothers Steven W. Zorovich and Gregory E. Zorovich.

Family and friends will honor and remember Big Daddy's wonderful life by gathering on Saturday, March 15th in Saint Mary’s Church, 640 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA, where his funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. A private inurnment will follow in the Morey Columbarium at Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury. There are no calling hours.

Plans for the Life Celebration will be announced at the end of the Mass Saturday. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Big Daddy’s honor may be made to: Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 https://www.stjude.org/ or Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256 https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/ or Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306 https://t2t.org/

Arrangements by James + John Heald of The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street, Waltham.