Zachary Stephen Shively

1997 - 2023

Zachary (Zach) Stephen Shively

Sept. 26, 1997 - July 22, 2023

MADISON - Zachary (Zach) Stephen Shively, age 25, of Madison, died July 22, 2023.

Zach was born on September 26, 1997, in Milwaukee. Zach lived with foster care parents. When he was 18 months old, he was joyfully adopted into the family of John Craig Shively and Anita Marie Banaszak Shively. The adoption day was celebrated every year at Ella's Deli for many years.

Growing up, Zach enjoyed all the family gatherings, playing with his brother and cousins and going camping with extended family in Wisconsin parks. He enjoyed traveling with his family all around Wisconsin and as far away as Hawaii. Zach felt free and alive in nature. The family dogs, Athena, and Scrappy Doo, allowed him more moments in nature. Zach was talkative, energetic, playful, and fun. He had a great curiosity and learned by seeing, asking, handling, and moving. His parents were very active in his education, promoting experiences such as summer camp, t-ball, and baseball as well as swimming and long bike trips with his family. As a teenager, he participated in Outward Bound. Zach enjoyed primary and middle school. High school brought more friends and new challenges, and with great persistence, Zach attained his high school diploma from LaFollette High School on June 8, 2017. He took on various jobs and especially liked working outdoors and helping people. Zach recently worked at Metro Market in Monona and was excellent in his relationships with fellow employees and customers.

Zach made friends wherever he went with his winning smile and ease of conversation. He connected with people of all ages. He was comfortable with adults. He learned from people's lived experience. He made it a priority to spend time with his elders, showing respect, patience, and love with his grandparents as they aged. As an adult, he met people from all over the world and many different cultures as a part of his involvement in an international group, SGI.

Zach understood the desires and dreams of his friends and generation. He understood the complexity of people and didn't judge. Just like his grandparents who were part of the history of their time, Zach was a deep observer of people and yearned for honesty, equality, and real justice in our culture. When he visited Hawaii again as an adult, he found the acceptance of all races uplifting and fervently hoped that this feeling of acceptance could be more present in his beloved hometown.

Zachary was not unacquainted with death, both among family and friends. When Zach was nine, his mother, Anita, died, and he asked, "Where my mother is, will it be dark?" One of his aunts answered, "Wherever your mother is, there is light." Zach, your light will shine forever. Thank you for all the love you gave us. We love you.

Zach is survived by members of his family: his father, John C. Shively; and brother, Robert I. Shively; his uncle, Rick (Meghan) Shively and aunt, Cynthia Shively; his uncle, Stephen M. Banaszak and his aunts: Mary (Doug) Schaller, Susan Banaszak Priebe, J. Lynn (Richard) Crabtree, Karen (Jeff Reinke) Banaszak, Nancy Banaszak-Lambert, Geradette (Brian) Barkey, Dolores (Mark) Holmes. His uncle, Dick Priebe, died shortly after Zach's death. He is also survived by many cousins and lifelong friends. He is preceded in death by his mother, Anita Banaszak Shively; and his grandparents, Stephen L. and Dolores M. Banaszak, and Robert T. and Shirley J. Shively; and his aunt, Patricia Banaszak; and his cousins: Theresa Banaszak, Patrick (PJ) Snell, and Daniel and Patrick Banaszak.

On Tuesday, September 26, 2023, we will be honoring and remembering him with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE, 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of Mass on Tuesday at the church. There will be a rite of Committal at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to https://gofund.me/aff7e0f8, or you may write a check to Karen Banaszak, Memo: Zach Shively fund.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

5701 Odana Road

608-274-1000