Alexander Zaccanelli

Zaccanelli, Alexander 5/4/1944 - 1/15/2022 Manistee Alexander Francis Zaccanelli passed away peacefully at his home on January 15, 2022 with his wife, Margie, at his side. He was born on May 4th, 1944 to Francis and Rita (Johnson) Zaccanelli, in Rome, New York. His family later relocated to Michigan where Alex graduated from Godwin Heights High School in 1962 and later attended Grand Valley State College, eventually graduating from Western Michigan University with a degree in business. He went on to a career selling insurance throughout Michigan, the last twenty-six years with the Bear Lake Agency. His clients benefited from his energy, knowledge, sense of humor and dedication to their best interests. Alex is survived by his wife of 22 years, Margie (Laguire) Zaccanelli; his daughters, Robin (Todd) Carrier, and Christine (Greg) Schober; his Grandchildren, Samantha (Mark) Horney, Bridget (Michael) Carrier-Rankin, Nickolas Carrier, and Ashlyn Schober; and Great-Grandson, Wells Francis Carrier-Rankin. He is also survived by his siblings Sheila (Dan) Samuels, Doug (Carol) Zaccanelli, Toni Zaccanelli, Todd (Starlin) Zaccanelli, and his Goddaughter Ashleigh (Antoine) Spann, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Family meant everything to Alex. He moved to Manistee to raise his girls in a small town and loved taking them skiing and camping. He was so proud of his girls and his grandkids and all their many accomplishments. He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Rita Zaccanelli and daughter, Marcy Zaccanelli. Alex forged a 77-year trail of generosity, mischief, laughter, love, honesty, compassion, and wisdom. He loved his adopted hometown of Manistee and actively participated whenever he could pitch in. He was a member of the Bear Lakes Lions Club and the Manistee Harbor Commission. He was also a charter member of Manistee 31-08 Coast Guard Auxiliary and proudly flew their pennant on his sailboat, the "Rita Lorraine." He especially loved his many years supervising the Forest Festival Parade. Alex would do anything for you, but you couldn't tell him what to do. He adamantly defended the superiority of the original Stroh's beer, tillers over wheels, the importance of always having a plan, and knowing when to properly "mosey along." He loved European travel, Northern Italian cuisine and bold red wines, woodworking, tennis, swimming, working on his lawn and garden, watching football, and sailing. His regrets were few, although he wished he could have learned to play guitar just a little better than his brother Todd and would have liked to have known all the lyrics of "Stagger Lee." He could, however, command a near perfect recall of all the words to the Beatles' and the Kingston Trio's songs. His best friends, and there were many, would all agree that they were better people because of his friendship, and he leaves them all with a lifetime of fond memories. A memorial service for Alex will be held Saturday, June 18th at the Lion's Pavilion at First Street beach in Manistee. Gather at 10:30 for an 11:00 service. Lunch will be served. In lieu of flowers, please make any donations in his name to either Homeward Bound Animal Shelter at 736 Paws Trail, Manistee, MI 49660, or US Coast Guard AUX Flotilla 31-08, C/0 Pam Cronenwett, 70 Charter Ct, Manistee, MI 49660 (For boater safety classes). Arrangements are being handled by Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee (231- 723-3557)