Ascutney, VT – Al J. Zera, 72, died on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Mt. Ascutney Hospital after a short illness; he found comfort in his Catholic faith and belief in God. Al was born on October 7, 1952, in Hartford, CT to Alfonse and Catherine (Tomasini) Sawyer.

He met the love of his life in April of 1988, Denise, and they married on August 7, 1993, in Lyme, NH.  They enjoyed camping and visiting the beach together. He cherished the years when Haley, their granddaughter, lived with them; it brought him so much joy to share his humor, creativity, and music listening rides in the monster trucks he built with his grandchildren.

He was proud to have helped construct many buildings throughout the Upper Valley as a steel framer and sheet rocker.

He is survived by his wife Denise Zera of Ascutney; one daughter Heather Carter of OR; sister Donna Zera of CT; five grandchildren Haley, Aiden, Rylee, Madison, and Austin Carter; siblings-in-law Ellie Malone and Deborah and Bill Hesketh; nieces and nephews Christine, Brian, Allie, Paul, Chad, and Erin; his constant companion, Harley, the blue-nosed pit bull; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter Tianna Miranda-Gomez; brother Fred Zera; grandson Ryan Carter; and sister-in-law Dorothy (and husband Charles) Rising.

Per his request, no funeral will be held but a celebration of his life will be held later this summer.