Leonard A. Zandi, Jr.'s Obituary
Mr. Leonard A. Zandi, Jr. age 79, passed away Thursday afternoon December 3, 2015, at his home. He had been ill, but suddenly took a turn for the worst. Leonard was born on June 1, 1936 to Leonard A. and Naomi (Fancett) Zandi Sr., in Newberry, Michigan in the UP. Leonard served his country for four years. During most of his enlistment, he was stationed at White Sands, in New Mexico. When he got out of the service, Leonard married the former Barbara A. Zenker on June 30, 1955. They then moved to Houghton, Michigan where he attended Michigan Technical University. After he finished college, he was offered a position in Muskegon at The General Telephone Company, as an engineer. He worked there for the next 30 years. Leonard was a great family man, first owning boats so he could take his family fishing at Bear Lake, and swimming at Pere Marquette Park. After that the family enjoyed camping, usually in Newberry every summer at Round Lake also in Newberry. Leonard also enjoyed fishing on Lake Michigan where his boat was hooked up with downriggers and a fish finder. He would come home with a cooler full of big Lake Trout and Coho Salmon. The family enjoyed eating fried fish, and he would smoke some himself which were also great tasting fish. Leonard taught all his children to be self-sufficient, which is why they all know how to fix and take on almost any job around the house. After all his children were grown up and moved out, he and Barbara started camping, first on the back of their pickup truck, then moving on to a trailer. They finally settled down at White River Camp Ground, north of Muskegon. They both got jobs, Leonard doing maintenance, and Barbara cleaning the bathrooms and showers. Leonard is survived by his wife, Barbara of 60 years; children, Lenet French of Ravenna, Sue Hippchen of North Muskegon, Mary Lowery and the late William R. Lowery who had passed away on May 9th, 2015, and Leonard “Tony” Zandi the III; ten grandchildren, Timothy French, Kelly, Courtney and Teresa Hippchen, Nicole (Josh) Cramblet, Samantha (George) Giddings, William “Willie” R. (Kelly) Lowery, Kenneth “Kenny” J. Cramblet, Alyssa Zandi, and Brendan Zandi; and two great-grandchildren, Benjamin Cramblet and Marshall Giddings. They all live in the Muskegon area except Alyssa who works and lives in Ferndale in the Detroit Area. Leonard was also preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Jerry Zandi of Greenville, MI. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place 11:00 AM, Wednesday, December 9, 2015 at St. Francis deSales Catholic Church (2929 McCracken) with Rev. Fr. Philip P. Salmonowicz presiding. Burial will take place at St. James in Montague. MEMORIALS to American Cancer Society. Arrangements by The Walburn Chapel, 1547 W. Sherman Blvd. (231) 759-8565. Share memories with the family at www.sytsemafh.com.
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