SADDLE RIVER, N.J. — Paul Vermylen, longtime leader of his family’s pasta company, A. Zerega’s Sons, died Oct. 31. He was 96 years old.
Founded in Brooklyn in 1848 by Mr. Vermylen’s great-grandfather, Antoine Zerega, A. Zerega’s is the nation’s oldest pasta maker. The company later relocated to Fair Lawn, N.J., in the early 1950s and today makes pasta for food processors and restaurants.
A graduate of Georgetown University and an Army infantry officer in World War II, Paul Vermylen joined A. Zerega’s in 1946, serving as president for many years and holding the title of chairman at the time of his death. Three of Mr. Vermylen’s sons are involved in A. Zerega’s, as are two of his grandchildren, who represent the sixth generation to have a hand in the family business.
Mr. Vermylen also was a past chairman of the National Pasta Association.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, in 2012. Survivors include six sons: Paul Jr. of Lloyd Harbor, N.Y.; Jay of Saddle River; Peter of Quogue, N.Y.; David of Lake Forest, Ill.; Robert of Ridgewood, N.J.; Mark of Ridgewood; a daughter: Jessica Fiddes of Long Valley; 21 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
