Discovery Bay resident Rutilio Zuniga passed away Monday, Oct. 31, 2011 at John Muir Hospital in Concord. He was born Oct. 5, 1924 in San Francisco, where his parents had emigrated from Nicaragua.

Rutilio enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 16 and was a proud member of the 1st Marine Division. He landed and saw action on Guadalcanal in World War II and served in Korea under Lt. Gen. Lewis “Chesty” Puller in the Chosin Reservoir. Rutilio remained in the Marine Corps Active Reserve, where he retired as a lieutenant colonel after 30 years.

Rutilio was one of the original 25 police officers hired by the city of Fremont and served the city proudly for 26 years, retiring as a sergeant in 1985. An active golfer and proud member of Castlewood Country Club for 50 years, he founded the FPD Charity Golf Tournament.

Rutilio is survived by his sons, Rhett and Rick, and daughter Raquel. His energetic spirit will be missed deeply by family and all the many friends he acquired over the years.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 11 a.m. in Veterans Hall, 757 First St. in Brentwood.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Wounded Heroes Fund. Checks should be made out to Delta Diablo Detachment 1155,

c/o Ed Sutton, 3905 Eagleridge Drive, Antioch, CA 94509-6909. Please include “Wounded Heroes Fund” in the memo line.