Richard Valentine Zanoni

1930 - 2021

BORN

1930

DIED

2021

Richard Zanoni Obituary

Richard Valentine Zanoni

(1930 - 2021)

Passed away on Saturday, May 29, 2021. He was an incredible husband, father, companion, brother, friend, Godfather, uncle, teacher, principal, and community member.

His loving wife and partner of 40 years, Maryjean passed away in 2003. Sometime later, he found his loving companion, Betty Crowell, who shared his passion for music, travel, and books. She and all who loved him know the deep and lasting positive impact he had on the hearts and lives of so many people.

Richard was a dedicated and supportive father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was survived by his five children; Linda Gomoll, Marie Bald, Richard Zanoni Jr., Robert Zanoni and Paul Zanoni. He is missed dearly by his children, their spouses and families. He is also survived by his brother and close friend of 89 years, Attilio Zanoni, who misses him, and credits Richard for saving him from drowning at age 12 and for launching Attilio's teaching career.

For 35 years, Richard was a teacher and administrator in the Milwaukee Public School System touching the lives, in a positive way, of tens of thousands.

Richard was the first son of Italian immigrants, and his first language was Italian. Richard's father Ricardo, taught Richard viola at age 7. Richard played in many orchestras and quartets until he was 89.

He participated in several Sheepshead card clubs, and his main group started in 1950, which in college called themselves "The Italians." Katie Couric featured the group on her morning show, calling them the oldest card playing group ever.

The important things in Richard's life were his family, friends, and travel. He loved tennis, snow skiing, birding, stamp-collecting, and recycling. His positive outlook on life was contagious.

He embodied an Italian phrase "Salute, soldi, amore, e il tempo di goderseli" (Health, money, love, and time to enjoy them). He lived a full life travelling all over the world and making a positive impact on so many lives.

He spent much time volunteering to causes on which he felt strongly. His family would be honored if those who knew him made donations "in memory of Richard Zanoni" to any of the following.

Habitat for Humanity (habitat.org" target="_new" rel="nofollow">www.habitat.org);

Planned Parenthood (www.plannedparenthood.org )

National Resource Defense Counsel (www.nrdc.org)

Menomonee Falls Symphony (send checks)

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from Jun. 22 to Jun. 26, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Zanoni

6 Entries

Carol Diehl Chernoff, Cynthia Chernoff, and the Riverside High School Break

September 24, 2021

To Richard's entire family, please accept our condolences. Dear "Til", It was hard to lose a friend I had since kindergarten. We will all miss him. Carol Diehl Chernoff and the Riverside High School Breakfast Group

Cindy Sciano

August 16, 2021

My deepest sympathy to the entire Zanoni family! I loved your dad like a second dad and he always treated me like family! I just heard about his passing he was such a wonderful, fun loving man and a great storyteller! I can still hear him practicing his viola as I would stop over to clean his house. I will forever treasure memories with your mom and dad! My prayers and thoughts go out to all of you .

Andrea Topetzes Mann

June 28, 2021

Linda and Family- my deepest condolences to you and your family. Your dad was not only my principal( when I taught @ GBA) but also the father of my dear friend Linda. He was kind, compassionate, funny and a very cool guy! I can just picture him wearing his leather jacket riding his motorcycle!
I know he was very proud of you, Linda, and I know you were a wonderful daughter. Take care. Miss T.

Dave Nelson

June 28, 2021

I'm so sorry to hear of Dick's passing. I knew Dick through my membership in the viola section of Milwaukee's (then) "Catholic Symphony" and later in the Concord Chamber Orchestra. Dick threw himself enthusiastically into the operations of the orchestra and its fund raising, and seemed to know a seemingly endless stream of his fellow Italians whom he could cajole into giving of their time and talents and, yes, money. As they would say, jokingly, it's not easy to be Italian.

Dick never claimed to be a great musician, but few loved making music more than he. And it was just one of many interests.

Melodee Bast

June 26, 2021

My sincere condolences to the family. Mr Zanoni was my 5th grade teacher at 36th Street School. He was the very best!!!
Rest In Peace Sir

DONALD H. PINSKER

June 26, 2021

MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF RICHARD ZANONI, WHO I MET, BOTH HE AND HIS BROTHER ATTILIO, WHEN I WAS RECRUITED INTO THE 84TH. INFANTRY DIVISION RESERVES BAND, AS I PLAYED THE FIRST CHAIR TROMBONE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND DONALD MOHR, THE ASSISTANT MILWAUKEE MUSIC SCHOOL DIRECTOR, WAS ALSO THE 84TH INFANTRY DIVISION BAND CONDUCTOR, WHERE I MET MANY OTHER ACCOMPLISHED MUSICIANS, I.E. RONALD DEVILLERS, WHO I REFER TO AS MY FRIEND OF OVER 60 YEARS. EVEN THOUGH TODAY, I HAVEN'T PLAYED THE TROMBONE IN YEARS, BUT HAVE BEEN PERFORMING AS A VOCALIST. THE MUSIC OF SINATRA, TONY BENNETT, & NAT "KING" COLE IN LAS VEGAS, WHERE I RETIRED TO, AFTER A CAREER AS A BROADCAST ENGINEER WITH THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK, WEST COAST HEADQUARTERS, LOS ANGELES / HOLLYWOOD. RICHARD AND HIS BROTHER, WERE BOTH TRUE GENTLEMEN TO INTERACT WITH.
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