PO (Ret) John “Zipper” Paul Maderik, NYPD, 79, of Palmyra, passed away on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, with his family by his side, in the M.S. Hershey Medical Center following a year and a half battle with leukemia. He was born Sunday, January 4, 1942, in Queens, NY to the late John and Olga (Puckert) Maderik. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Hilda Maderik.
A life of love, service and laughter—Zipper was larger than life. He served the City of New York for 36 1/2 years in the NYPD retiring as a motorcycle officer on Hwy#3 in Queens. He was a Highway Delegate for the NYC Police Benevolent Association and enjoyed leading all types of parades in his beloved NYC, including the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. His love of motorcycles was both professional and personal, as his garage is filled with many 2-wheeled toys. He was selfless by nature and a good friend to all that knew him, even if it was a casual encounter. His love for all animals was a reflection of his kind soul. There was never a dull moment with him around, huge smiles and belly laughs were sure to flow. His favorite quote will live on with family and friends “Make a new friend each day!”
He is survived by a daughter, Lori O’Rourke and her husband Chief (Ret) Patrick O’Rourke, Derry Township PD of Palmyra; a son, DET John P. Maderik, NYPD and his wife Janet of Queens, NY; four grandchildren, Keeghan P. O’Rourke of Palmyra, Jessica Maderik and John Paul Maderik of Queens, NY and PO Patrick M. O’Rourke, Manor Township PD and wife Ashley of Palmyra; two great-grandchildren, Reaghan and Remington O’Rourke; one brother, Michael Maderik and wife Janis of DE.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, October 2nd at Noon at Rothermel-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 25 West Pine Street, Palmyra, PA 17078. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 11:00 a.m. until time of the service. A period of food and fellowship will follow at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to the Humane Society of Lebanon County, 150 North Ramona Road, Myerstown, PA 17067 www.lebanonhumane.org or Penn State Cancer Institute, Office of University Development, PO Box 852, Hershey, PA 17033 www.cancer.psu.edu. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.finkenbinderfamily.com
