STEPHEN ZANGRILLO, FOUNDER OF DARIEN SPORT SHOP, DIES AT 91

Stephen Zangrillo, who started specialty retailer Darien Sport Shop, has died.

His daughter, Gina Zangrillo, who currently runs the store, announced his passing to friends and patrons of DSS in an email message. She said that he died at his home in Darien, Conn. on Wednesday surrounded by family members. He was 91.

Zangrillo, who was known to many as “Mr. Z,” was born on December 26, 1923. After a stint in the U.S. Army during WWII, he opened Darien Sport Shop in August 1946 as a one-room 400-sq.-foot sporting goods shop on Post Road. Eight years later, in the wake of the store’s success, he bought the land at 1127 Post Road and moved the shop to its present location. The business evolved over the years and is now a renowned three-level department store that carries apparel, accessories, sports gear and gifts for men, women and kids. It remains family owned and is famous for its service and product selection, which includes brands such as Peter Millar, Barbour and Vineyard Vines. DSS was the recipient of MR Magazine’s Uptown/Downtown Award in 2009.

“It was Mr. Z’s warm presence and friendly greetings that generations of loyal customers grew to love and know,” his daughter said in her email. “His dedication to providing personal customer service has been the business model for DSS since day one.”

Zagrillo also leaves a legacy of giving back to the community and supported numerous fundraisers and charities in his lifetime. He donated the first ambulance to Post 53 in 1976 and, starting in 1978, hosted the annual Christmas tree lighting in DSS’ parking lot. When the first tree, a 100-footer, was felled in 2009 due to storm damage he made sure that it replaced so that the Yuletide ceremony could continue.

“Mr. Z lived the American Dream. He founded the Darien Sport Shop in August of 1946 with little or no money in his pockets, running his business under one principle: the customer is always right. He loved working with customers and had a knack of building lasting relationships with them,” Tom Whitney, EVP/GMM of DSS, told MR. “He dedicated his life to serving the town of Darien through his store and his charitable efforts. He loved his family, his store, his customers and his town.”

“I’ll always remember the first time I walked into the store. Mr. Z greeted me with such warmth and kindness that I immediately felt like we were old friends. In fact, Mr. Z greeted every visitor to the store as if this person were the biggest shopper and an old friend. Darien Sport Shop is the friendliest, most upscale family store I know; Mr. Z will be greatly missed,” said Jack Wu, CEO, Rainforest.

Zangrillo is survived by his wife Yolanda, his brother Robert, his four children­–Stephen F. Zangrillo Jr., Anthony Zangrillo, Stephanie Zangrillo, and Gina Zangrillo—and six grandchildren.

His funeral Mass will be held Monday at 11:00 am at the Church of St. John in Darien.