Charles J. Zazzera

Charles J. Zazzera, 93, of Carbondale, passed away peacefully in his sleep Thursday morning at the Carbondale Nursing Home. He is survived by his devoted wife, Darlene Balzen Zazzera. They celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary earlier this year.

Born in Carbondale, he was the son of the late Lorenzo and Mary Zazzera. Upon graduation from Benjamin Franklin High School in 1939, he enlisted in the service in 1940 and attended navigation school. During his time in the Air Force, he met his beloved wife, Darlene, in San Antonio, Texas. After completion of his service, he and Darlene settled in Carbondale. He eventually started his own business, CJ Zazzera Construction, which he devoted much of his life until retirement. He loved his trade and was considered somewhat of a perfectionist.

"Chazley," as he was known by his many friends, was a member of Elkview Country Club for many years and he enjoyed it to the fullest. He was an avid outdoorsman. He spent most of his free time golfing, fishing, hunting and vacationing in Florida in the winter months for over 30 years. He was also proud to be active in the Ben-Mar St. Jude Golf Tournament for many years with his brother, Marino, and many other devoted volunteers. He was a long-standing member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church as well as the International Brotherhood of Carpenters Union. His zest for living life will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

The family wishes to thank all the staff at the Carbondale Nursing Home as well as Home Health Hospice. Their kindness, dedication and compassion are greatly appreciated.

In addition to his wife, Chucky is survived by a daughter, Bernadette Suchy and husband, Michael, Crystal Lake; three sons, Jerome Zazzera and wife, Angie, Maryland; Michael Zazzera and wife, Robyn, Carbondale; Stephen Zazzera and wife, Alicia, Carbondale; 11 grandchildren, Aaron Salko and wife, Lauren, New Jersey; Corey Salko, New York; Emily Salko, Oregon; John David Friia and Jessica Friia, Maryland; Alex Zazzera, New York; Mikey Zazzera, Carbondale; Corey Nykaza, Carbondale; Mallory Nykaza and companion, Sean Mangan, Carbondale; Zoe Zazzera, Carbondale; and Amelia Zazzera, Carbondale; four great-grandchildren, Sierra and Tatum Salko, Alexis Nykaza and Lonnie Mangan; a brother, Marino Zazzera and wife, Benedetta, Carbondale; a sister-in-law, Frances Zazzera, Carbondale; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Frank, Anthony and Dominic; four sisters, Mary, Victoria, Helen and Violet; and a son-in-law, Leonard Salko.

The funeral will be Monday from Lawrence A. Gabriel Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 2 Hospital St., with Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. Interment, Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Finch Hill.

Friends may call Sunday from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, send donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.