Man Kills Himself Outside South Jersey Vet Where Beloved Dog Died

He built a ramp for his dog when he was sick. Several months ago, Peyton died in his arms.

Robert J. “Robbie” Zapar just missed his dog so much, his family says.

Zapar shot and killed himself outside an animal hospital this past week where his beloved dog died in December, according to police and family members.

Zapar, 35, of Vineland died Thursday outside the Animal Clinic of Millville, according to police and family, where his dog, Peyton, died in the parking lot.

"I love you my brother," his brother, Jaime, wrote on his Facebook page. "I will think about you everyday for the rest of my life. I miss you."

Zapar shot himself while sitting in his pickup truck in the parking lot just after delivering a four-page note to the clinic and for his veterinarian, his family and police confirmed.

The family was willing to share information about Zapar's death because they felt it was important to spread awareness about suicide, and deal with the stigma associated with it.

"Robbie looked at Peyton as his son," his brother, Jaime, told Patch. "His pain was the equivalent to a parent losing a child. I know it’s hard for some people to grasp, but if you knew Robbie personally, you'd understand."

The family appeared willing to share their grief, and Zapar's brother posted a GoFundMe page that already reached its $5,000 goal after two days.

Jaime called him "an amazing soul" and his "best friend."

"Our world is broken," he wrote on the GoFundMe page. "It was completely unexpected. Our family is still in shock and trying keep everything together as best we can.

Jaime said Robbie was loved by many people in the Vineland community. "The outcry of support and condolences has been amazing. We greatly appreciate everybody who reached and those who have been praying for us," he said.

Zapar's life seemed to be on the upswing recently, his family said. He recently bought a home and installed a ramp on the front of the house for the dog, his family said. But Peyton had been ill and was scheduled for surgery on his spleen; Zapar, however, canceled the surgery when the dog appeared to make a comeback.

The dog didn't make it.

Zapar himself was in a coma nine years ago after he suffered a fractured skull in a motorcycle accident in late 2009 while living in Florida, according to his family. It forced him to learn how to walk and talk, they said.

Zapar was born and raised in Vineland where he was a longtime resident and a graduate of Sacred Heart High School Class of 2001. He worked several jobs before finding his "niche" as an electrician for the Landis Sewage Authority, and his coworkers were like "a second family to him," according to his obituary from Pancoast Funeral Home.

"His life revolved around his dog, Peyton, his nephews and niece and setting up his new home," according to the obituary.

Zapar is survived by his parents; Sandy and Paul J. Gillespie, Jr.; his brother, Jaime Zapar, sisters, Amanda Gillespie and Laura Sikking and several relatives.

Relatives and friends will be received on Friday evening, March 23, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., and again on Saturday, March 24, from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Pancoast Funeral Home, 676 S. Main Rd., Vineland. His funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Burial will follow in the Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery, Vineland.

For those who wish, memorial contribution may be made to the Animal Clinic of Millville, 2430 W. Main St., Millville, NJ 08332. To e-mail condolences & or tributes, please visit www.pancoastfuneralhome.com

Photo courtesy of Pancoast Funeral Home