Zona

James E. Zona, 55, of Fox Chapel died Thursday.

Jim graduated in 1976 from Penn State University with a degree in accounting and was a member of the Delta Chi fraternity.

From his beginnings in North Braddock, Jim became the founder and CEO of Pittsburgh Plastics Manufacturing in 1977 at a storefront in Avalon.

Jim believed people could "walk on water" so he developed and manufactured water-filled shoe insoles. Jim was the leader in developing what are now known as gel insoles. Today, PPM is a global leader in custom cushioning solutions and employs more than 100 people at its Butler plant, with offices in the United Kingdom and China.

Jim was an active member and past chairman of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization. Most recently, he was an active member of the Worlds Presidents Organization.

Jim was passionate about his work and his family and enjoyed snow-skiing, fishing and traveling.

He was the beloved husband of Susan J. (Smrzlick) for 30 years; loving father of Angela Carr (Casey) of Hampton Township, Christina Cummings (Ian) of Hampton Township and Jimmy Zona of Fox Chapel; grandfather of James, Andrew and Caroline Carr and Michael Cummings; son of Eleanore (Pekarcik) Zona and the late James A. Zona; and brother of the late Kathryn Graham-Theile and the late Priscilla Zona.

<B>ZONA </B>— Friends of James E. Zona, who died Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, were received Saturday at the <B>PATRICK T. LANIGAN FUNERAL HOME</B>, Turtle Creek/Monroeville Chapel. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated today at the St. Catherine of Sweden Church, Wildwood. Burial followed at the Good Samaritan Cemetery in Ambridge.Information and a guest book is available at www.laniganfuneralhome.com.