Herbert J Zarkin
Herbert J Zarkin, age 86, of Boca Raton, FL and Mashpee, MA, died on April 25, 2025.
He was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts in 1938, son of Bernard and Dorothy Zarkin, née Simon.
He graduated from Lowell High School in 1956 and attended the University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Zarkin spent his entire professional career with one organization, beginning as a stock boy for Zayre Stores in 1961 and moving his way up the corporate ladder to store manager and then to the the home office. In 1988, he was promoted to Chairman and Chief Executive of Zayre Stores. In 1990, Mr. Zarkin became the President of BJ’s Wholesale Club and in 1993, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Waban Inc. He retired in 2010.
Mr. Zarkin was well known for his philanthropy, in particular to Dana Farber Cancer Institute where he established the Zarkin Family Foundation to encourage cancer research as well as to support the nursing staff.
In addition to his success in business, he is most fondly remembered by his loving family. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Susan Zarkin, née Bell, and his daughters, Amy Reiner (Neal) and Beth Ann Ditkoff (Charlie), his four grandchildren, Allyson, Michael (Jayme), Andrea (Andrew) and Julia (Andrew), as well as his brothers Gerald (Phyllis) and Norman.
Services will be private. The family will hold Shiva on Wednesday April 30th at the Reiner residence from 3-7 pm and on Sunday May 4th at the Ditkoff residence from 3-7 pm.
Donations in memory of Herbert Zarkin can be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, www.dana-farber.org or to the charity of your choice.