Joey Roy Zalabak
Dec. 19, 1953 - July 25, 2006
Obituary by Nori Muster


One of my best friends, Joey Zalabak, died unexpectedly in 2006, when he was far too young to die, with far too many dreams and adventures still ahead. My wish is that he is pursuing his dreams now wherever he is, and that he has found eternal rest in the presence of his beloved Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha.

Joey is survived by two sisters: Marie and Estelle, and two daughters: Sara (b. 1986) and Naomi (b. 1991).
Favorite books: Lord of the Rings, by JRR Tolkein, Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis
Favorite TV shows: Stargate, Law and Order
Favorite comics: Scrooge McDuck
In the 1970s-1980s, Joey had a successful sixteen year career as a recording engineer, with gold and platinum Detroit-based entertainers.
In the 1980s-1990s, he worked in computer technology, including three years at Apple Computers.
Joey was a spiritual soul and lost his wife to the Hare Krishna movement in 1987. I met him while I was in ISKCON, but our friendship continued until he died in 2006.
Some of this information was supplied by his last girlfriend, Lesley.

Excerpts from a resume Joey wrote in 1998:

11/97-2/98: Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, CA. QA functional tester for 'AppleShare IP' (ASIP) 6.1 upgrade. Tested an HTML based remote Network management system, the FTP Server and an IMAP email Server. Moved to a project with ASIP Integration. Tested the conversion of the NextStep (UNIX based) OS to Mac OS X Server. Co-lead on project to test software that allowed Mac OS X Server to boot multiple Network Computers for Education and Graphics Markets. Wrote bugs, followed up with programmers, made HI (GUI) suggestions. Learned UNIX.

6/97-10/97: bhakti.com, San Jose, CA. Built a large website for Entertainer Bernie Worrell (P-Funk then later a Talking Heads keyboardist he was also a B-52's producer). Created several sites for anti-cult author Nori Muster (Betrayal of the Spirit). Started and funded an abused children's recovery website. This caused my small business: bhakti.com to evolve into a service-based and spiritual webfarm. Beta tested Windows 98. Spent four months in San Diego with my (then) 12-year old daughter.

9/96-6/97: Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, CA. QA Integration tester on 'AppleShare IP' (ASIP) 5.0. This AppleShare version added TCP/IP to the native AppleTalk protocol. Tested the newly added four IP Servers which made ASIP Intranet software as well. Tested HTTP, FTP, POP3, PPP, DNS, Firewall, Gateway and Print IP Servers. Wrote 150+ bug reports from pre-alpha to shrink-wrap. Worked closely with programmers as well as 3rd party bundled products. Used automation tools when possible. Designed a software Router based TCP/IP Network for the 'AppleShare IP' Integration Lab.

3/95-3/96: Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, CA. QA tester of the 'Newton' PDA OS 2.0. Tested beta 3rd party applications with new OS. Wrote bug reports and interfaced with email and shareware developers. Tested and wrote opinions on the state and future of email on the PDA platform. Wrote about 100 bug reports.

7/94-3/95: LifeScan (Johnson & Johnson), Milpitas, CA. Instrumental in testing four different products. Included were two blood glucose meters (with embedded micro-controllers) and a Windows 3.11 database application that featured multimedia help. Made "core tester" (lead), interfacing directing with the V&V engineer. Reported 12% of all defects with the Windows software product.

9/93-6/94: Headline Graphics, Encinitas, CA. PostScript specialist at large pre-press Service Bureau. Ran IRIS Color printers, Linotronic and Scitex imagesetters. Color correction work with Photoshop and Scitex systems.

9/90-8/93: LinoText, Cupertino and Palo Alto, CA. Night manager of Cupertino's largest Service Bureau. Used high-end Scanners, performed color correction and did typographical design. Agfa SelectSet, Linotronic and Techtronic output specialist. Windows 3.x customer and staff trainer and tech support guru.

6/87-8/90: JDR Microdevices, Los Gatos, CA. Technical Writer. Produced manuals and technical documentation using CorelDraw! and PageMaker. Designed, wrote, revised, illustrated and supervised pre-press production of manuals. Designed and wrote most of a Monthly Newsletter. Helped resolve difficult technical support issues.

9/86-6/87: PacificData, San Diego, CA. Contractor on a project to test clone cartridges that fit into an HP LaserJet II Laser Printer. Worked with "Phoenix PostScript". Tested possible printer configurations through over two dozen revisions of driver code. Wrote bugs and interfaced with Phoenix code writers.