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Carl Zeff Obituary
Resident of Oakland, CA
He died on April 1st 2017, of diabetes and dementia. Son of the late Leon H. Zeff and Norma Zeff. Brother of Jonathan S. and Joshua A. Beloved by adult children Jennifer, and Darren Chan.
Longtime bay area cook and Oakland teacher.
Friends are invited to share memories on Saturday April 15th 2-5 PM at the Zeff home. Call for info 510-663-6435
View the online memorial for Carl Douglass Zeff
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Amy Harris
April 3, 2023
Carl and I were friends, neighbors, and fellow Local 2 activists for several years. He had a wonderful sense of humor, was a good and caring organizer, and, of course a fantastic cook. RIP old friend
Wilma Chan
April 3, 2021
Well, Carl would be truly proud of Daren who he raised to be a fine man. Today wherever he is, he’s a grandfather to the cutest boy, Kai, who is happy and has a great laugh. Daren is passing on gifts from Carl to Kai.
Wilma Chan
April 3, 2019
Two years since his passing, I still think with sadness how his life ended. He just wasnt the same person anymore. I truly hope wherever he is he has found the inner peace he sought all of his life. I know he had his intelligence and humor back too!
Marc Cohen
November 23, 2018
I knew Carl and his brother Jon through the National Ethical Youth Organization (NEYO) in Westport, CT when we were in high school and later. Carl was always funny and ironic; he goofed on me a lot. I almost never knew if he was being serious. I am saddened to learn so belatedly of his passing.
Marc M. Cohen, Palo Alto, CA
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February 5, 2018
Oh Carl....I can't wrap my brain around the fact that you are gone. Carl was smart, kind, funny, quick as a whip and generous. He could make up songs for his students on demand and knew what each of them needed to learn. The world lost a really good man!
Sheila Kassoy Krstevski
April 16, 2017
From the time I first met Carl Zeff at a National Ethical Youth Organization conference, he has been a very special, very beloved friend. My breaking heart goes out to his family and friends from coast to coast.
Wilma Chan
April 10, 2017
I was married to Carl for 17 years. He was a talented and truly gifted cook and teacher. He had the most wicked sense of humor. He taught me and the kids to love dogs, good food and crazy jokes. We had a lot of great memories of vacations and good times. It was sad to see him so deteriorated in the past 4 years. I know he is in a better place now.
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