Viewpoint: I'm running for St. Joe County probate judge. Here's why I'd be a good judge.

In November, you will see my name on the ballot — Loris Zappia — as a candidate for probate judge in St. Joseph County. Too often citizens don't feel acquainted with the judges they put into office. For that reason, I would like to share with you who I am and why I think I would be a good judge.

I was born in St. Joseph County, in South Bend, and raised in a house on Hartman Drive, where my mother still lives today. My father met my mother in Naples, Italy. They had four children; I am the third. My father and mother separated when I was 7 due to alcoholism. My father died at the age of 60 as an alcoholic.

My mother worked as a waitress and cook at the Capri Restaurant to support the family. In the 1970s she was hired as a cook at Memorial Hospital but did not have a driver's license and took the bus to work every morning.

It was important to my mother that we had solid role models to mentor us, because she worked on average 12 to 15 hours a day.

Since my father was out of the picture my mother did whatever she could to make sure there were male role models in my life. Mom enrolled all of the children in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America program, whose goal it is to provide mentoring for children facing adversity. The general neighborhood also looked out for us while my mother worked.

My first job was going around the neighborhood collecting newspapers in my red wagon for recycling. My second job was helping my oldest brother Mike with his paper route. He would put me in the front basket, and I would throw the papers on the porch for a percentage of the profits.

I continued to work through high school — paying my own tuition at St. Joseph High School — where I was also a wrestler. I paid my way through college and law school, using breaks and time off to work and save money.

In the summer of 1983, when I was 17, I experienced the greatest tragedy in my life. I was involved in a car accident, where I hit a brother of Holy Cross, who was riding his bike. The box truck ahead of me blocked my view. The truck moved out of the way in time to avoid hitting the cycler. I did not. He died a few days later.

I went to the funeral, supported by teachers and classmates. I was not ticketed at the scene but testified at a grand jury. I was told the grand jury determined it was an unfortunate accident of two people at the same place at the wrong time. I coped with extreme grief, sadness, guilt and shame. This life changing event will be with me for the rest of my life. I now sometimes share my story when working with others in difficult situations.

I have worked as a civil litigation and trial attorney for over 30 years. I have also worked as a deputy prosecuting attorney for 23 years with the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office in the problem-solving courts, which include the Drug Treatment Court and Veterans’ Court.

At the problem-solving court, we encounter individuals who are in complex situations. Many suffer from mental health and substance abuse disorders. I also was involved with establishing our Veterans’ Treatment Court to help those who suffer from mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder.

I have worked successfully within the prosecutor’s office under both Republican and Democratic prosecutors. I have gained a valuable base of knowledge on gender, age and cultural issues that may impact an offender's success in completing programs.

The position I am seeking is a six-year term as a judge on the probate court. The probate court deals with such areas as guardianships, trusts, wills, domestic cases, paternity issues, adoptions, child support and juvenile matters.

I believe my extensive law background combined with my life experiences make me a compassionate and fair candidate for the office of probate judge — and I hope to earn your vote in the November 2024 elections.

Loris Zappia is the Republican candidate for St. Joseph County probate judge.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Loris Zappia is running for probate judge in St. Joseph County.