Community remembers man who died after being struck by a garbage truck in Burlington

 

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Waukesha community is reeling after an accident at a Pizza Ranch this week took the life of a man who lived his life helping others.

"Anywhere in the Waukesha community that somebody needed help he like weaseled his way into it," said Ryan Rehak, founder of Outskirts Theatre Company.

Friends say Jake Zappa had a heart for others, immersing himself in philanthropy that included the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

"So, he would coordinate events for children and bring us in as actors and performers and build sets for them when they were getting their gifts," said Rehak.

Even Zappa's friendship with Ryan Rehak started like that.

"I first met Jake. I was working at the Waukesha Civic Theatre, and we were looking for a pizza donation," said Rehak.

Friends tell us for the last two years; Jake and his wife had been regulars at the Waukesha Civic Theatre. 

"Basically, he was like, you know, I will give you this pizza if you let me get more involved," said Rehak.

Zappa was manager then of the Waukesha Pizza Ranch. After the Christmas Parade attack, that location, under his leadership, donated a portion of receipts to the Waukesha Blazers, but Zappa's giving spirit started years earlier in high school theatre.

"He was also the guy who was in charge behind the scenes of like getting gifts. I have a blanket that he made his senior year for 'Cats' that I still use to this day," said Zappa.

This is Zappa at St. Joseph Catholic Academy in Kenosha where Tony Landa taught him how to tap dance.

"He played Old Deuteronomy his senior year in 'Cats.' He was Cornelius Hackl in 'Hello Dolly.' He was really one of the most memorable kids I ever taught and I'm not just saying that," said Landa.

Zappa's life ended Monday at Burlington's Pizza Ranch when a garbage truck backing up hit Zappa as he walked through the parking lot.

"It's just one of those things where everything stops," said Rehak.

Well-loved past and present, in his professional and personal worlds.

"Just really grateful for him and everything he's done and everything he was and is and we're gonna miss him a lot," said Rehak.

Zappa was on the team that selected Outskirts Theatre Company's next production, La Cage Aux Folles. They were rehearsing when they got word.

"It was hard, and it was sad for a lot of people, but it was also really incredible how everybody in the room was like can we dedicate the show to him? Can we do this? Can we send flowers to this?" said Rehak.

A GoFundMe has been created in support of Zappa's family.