Ogden Rec bids farewell to long-time employee

Sandy Zingaro

Ogden Rec bids farewell to long-time employee

The best part of her job will soon be the highlight of her retirement. Sandy Zingaro, administrative assistant in Ogden's Parks and Recreation Department for 20 years, is retiring to move to North Carolina to watch her grandchildren grow up. Zingaro said being able to watch Ogden campers grow into camp counselors has been the best part of her two decades of service for the town.

"There hasn't ever been a day that I didn't want to come into my job," said Zingaro. "Just like I've seen all of these other kids grow, now I'll get to see my grandkids grow and develop."

During Zingaro's tenure, the Parks and Recreation Department has grown right along with the children it serves. The department offers swim instruction, lodge booking, preschool, summer camp, sports and a before and after school program. Coordinating all of these programs makes for a busy office and a lot of interaction with local families.

Ogden Supervisor Gay Lenhard credits Zingaro with keeping the department moving smoothly through its growth, transition to a new facility and changes in leadership. "She has been the glue that has kept that department together," said Lenhard. "We're certainly going to miss her."

Peter O'Brien, department director, said Zingaro's retirement is a loss to the department and to the community. O'Brien who became Ogden's third Parks and Recreation director back in August, said he will miss her organizational skills and her insight. In his first year, O'Brien said he has worn a path between their two offices coming to Zingaro for answers. "They're going to be big shoes to fill," O'Brien said.

And retiring and moving two days later on July 13 is a big change for Zingaro who was born and raised in this community. "It was a very difficult decision," said Zingaro. "But the last time we visited the kids I told my husband that I couldn't do it (leave them) anymore." So Zingaro and her husband, Robert, will be moving to Clayton, North Carolina near their daughter, Jennifer, and their two grandchildren, Jessica (six-years-old), and Joshua (three-years-old).

"I'll really miss talking to the people who come in here," said Zingaro. But she already has something to say to her new neighbors. "The first thing I'll tell them is about where I worked," she said. "They don't have anything like this in Clayton."