New Accumulating Scholarship Fund Honors Devoted Wakefield Educators

(Wakefield, MA) – The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield, Inc. (TSF) is honored to announce the establishment of the Pasquale “Patsy” and Sharon (Pothier) Zagaria Fund. This fund honors two devoted educators who served the Wakefield community for decades and shared deep, lifelong ties to the town.

Sharon Zagaria taught first grade and kindergarten at the Walton, Doyle, and West Ward Schools, as well as fifth-grade science at the Galvin Middle School. Throughout her career, she wrote and secured numerous educational grants benefiting Wakefield students and was actively involved in Watershed Awareness, which in partnership with New England Discovery, received a State Award in Environmental Education. She took a lifelong interest in her students’ success, sending congratulatory letters to former students upon their high school graduation.

Patsy Zagaria was a longtime music teacher, band leader, and beloved mentor who taught piano and organ to countless Wakefield residents. Patsy Zagaria’s Orchestra was among the most popular dance bands in the region, playing at weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, school dances, proms and clubs. A proud veteran, Patsy served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

In 2025, the Town of Wakefield formally honored Patsy, choosing him to serve as Grand Marshal of the town’s Fourth of July Parade. He was also highlighted at the 2025 Veterans Day Ceremony, where he played piano accompanied by his daughter, musician and soloist Dr. Holly Zagaria.

Patsy and Sharon were married for 53 years until Sharon’s passing in 2017. They are the parents of Jeffrey, Holly, and John Zagaria, and the grandparents of Rose Conway and Nicholas and Madeline Zagaria.

The Pasquale “Patsy” and Sharon (Pothier) Zagaria Fund will become a permanent fund once it reaches a minimum balance of $10,000. Upon permanency, beginning the following June, an annual scholarship will be awarded in Patsy and Sharon’s names to a Wakefield student.

Contributions to the Pasquale “Patsy” and Sharon (Pothier) Zagaria Fund are encouraged to help the fund grow to a permanent level. Donations can be made to TSF of Wakefield, P.O. Box 321, Wakefield, MA 01880.Online donations can be made by visiting www.TSFofWakefield.org/donate. Please include the name of the fund with your donation, either on the check memo line or by adding a message/fund name with your online donation.

TSF’s motto is ‘Investing in Students, Honoring Legacies.’Since 1960, The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield has invested in students by providing financial need assistance to Wakefield residents in their full-time pursuit of higher education. Beyond this commitment to students, TSF proudly honors the legacies of individuals and groups through the administration of over 620 scholarship funds.More information about The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield is available at TSFofWakefield.org.