Jan Zarkin, 73, passed away at home early Thursday morning, December 1st, 2016 after a two-year battle with ALS.
Jan will forever be remembered for his ready smile, for the kindness he showed everyone he came into contact with, for the generosity he offered with ease, for the joy he brought to life.
He had a way of pulling people together …. for volleyball games, block parties, Bastille Day, Quizzo games….anything people could enjoy together….anything to make people laugh. If you want a chuckle just picture Jan in one of his Halloween costumes!
He has been called the Mayor of Ringgold St, but really could be the Mayor of Fairmount. He had the perfect personality to run a neighborhood restaurant and bar. He reveled in the “socialness” of hosting and never forgot anyone. He had a knack for finding restaurant talent and his ex-employees can be found in the best restaurants all over Philly today. He treated all his employees and patrons with friendship and warmth and annually shut down the restaurant on Thanksgiving to host dinner for friends and family.
He loved music and could be found most Fridays enjoying Free At Noon. He relished Bob Dylan night at Rembrandts and would perform karaoke on demand. He loved the annual Exponential Music Festival, sitting in the sun surrounded by close friends celebrating life and music and drinking cheap red wine.
He was a bit of a dreamer…always thinking about the next big thing….. his lottery plan to make money for the city, the Z Café, the eDevice holder and Fairmount Consignment shop.
Jan loved to chauffeur all Joann’s friends around but all the girls knew it was just because he was a dirty old man in the most loving way.
Jan had the most wonderful perspective on life and would so often be heard saying, “Hate is a wasted emotion”. He will be lovingly remembered and genuinely missed by everyone whose life he touched.
Jan is survived by his wife of 26 years, Joann, brother Jere (Viki), brother in-law Joel Frezel (Janice Frezel), and nieces and nephews: Dell and Isabella, Nikki Burkons (Mike Burkons), and David Frezel (Alana Frezel).

Graveside Service at 1 p.m., Sunday, December 4th at West Laurel Hill Cemetery, 225 Belmont Ave., Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. Contributions in Jan’s memory may be made to the ALS Association or Wissahickon Hospice. Arrg. by West Laurel Hill Funeral Home, Inc.