Steve "The Coach" Zacharko

Steve, “The Coach” Zacharko, 78, of Summerville, South Carolina, formerly of Bridgeport, Connecticut and Mount Juliet, Tennessee went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, July 24, 2026. He was the husband of Maria Zacharko.

Steve was born in Herzfeld, Germany on February 27, 1948 son of the late John and Maria Osos Zacharko. He graduated from Harding High School the class of 1966 and the University of Bridgeport. Steve played football, basketball and baseball at Harding receiving three sport Letterman awards and led the state in touchdown passes his junior year. Upon graduating from the University of Bridgeport, he secured the positions of head football and basketball coach at Bullard-Haven Regional Vocational Technical School, where he also taught history and english classes. He quickly turned both floundering football and basketball programs around, not only developing skills, but concentrating on motivating the athletes, student body and faculty so that they would grow an attitude of success and pride in their school and each other. His basketball teams ended winning two MBIAC championships becoming regular qualifiers in the state tournament as well as the MBIAC playoffs. The Tech Tigers Advanced to the CIAC finals before losing to East Haven in overtime in the late 70s. Steve also coached basketball at Platt High School in Meriden and during the 70s and early 80s, Steven enjoyed playing the outfield for Stony Brook Jaws in Stratford. He was one of the original members of the team.

In 1983 Steve joined the Allstate Insurance Company and spent the next 31 years there until his retirement in 2014. During this time at Allstate, he found the time to coach and sponsor various youth basketball programs in Stratford and at the Boys and Girls Club in Shelton.

Upon retiring, Steve and his wife moved to Mount Juliet, Tennessee and then onto Summerville, South Carolina where they have been living for the last 7 1/2 years.

Besides his beloved wife, Maria, Steve leaves behind to cherish his memories, their son Max Zacharko (Jacqueline) of Sneads Ferry, North Carolina, his sister-in-law Joyce Impellitteri of Ansonia, CT, his brother-in-law Russ Apfel of Jacksonville, FL, nephews Sanford and Steven Apfel, and many lifetime friends and godchildren.

A celebration of life service will be held at Faith Church in Summerville, South Carolina at a time yet to be determined. Arrangements are being handled by Simplicity Lowcountry Cremation and Burial Services.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Steve’s name to Faith Church Kingdom Builders, 337 Farmington Rd, Summerville, SC 29486