Zachariah William Friedlieb

Zachariah "Zach" William Friedlieb, of Naples, Florida, 45, passed away on July 17, 2025.
Zachariah was born at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan, to William and Kandace Friedlieb on March 30, 1980. At just one year old, he and his family moved to Bonita Springs, Florida, before settling in Fort Myers in 1991. Zach attended Tice Elementary School, Alva Middle School, and Riverdale High School, where he was also a proud member of Jr. ROTC. He relocated to Arizona with his father, where he completed his high school education. After graduation, he returned to Fort Myers, where he built his life and family, spending several years living between Fort Myers and Naples while maintaining close ties to both communities.
Zach found his professional home at Neapolitan Carpet Cleaning, where he began as a Carpet Cleaning Technician and promoted to Office Manager before medically retiring. Zach took great pride in his work, which consistently received glowing reviews from customers. What made his time with Neapolitan particularly special was the lifelong friendships he formed while there.
Known for his humor, charisma, and larger-than-life presence, Zach (affectionately known as "Pookie Luv") took great pleasure in being the center of attention. He had a laugh that filled the room and seemingly endless energy that drew people to him. He never missed an opportunity to make people laugh, whether by telling a joke, pulling a prank, or, famously, shaving off an eyebrow if he lost a football bet. He also made friends around the world through online gaming, forming meaningful connections with people drawn to his quick wit and vibrant personality.
He was always up for a challenge and was generous with his time and energy, especially when it came to helping others. Zach frequently participated in charity events and was proud to shave his head each year at Beards + Brews barbershop to raise money for childhood cancer research. He also proudly supported the Lost Riders Riding Club of Naples, a community he respected and felt a deep connection to.
Up until the end, Zach was unstoppable, driven by a fearless spirit and a boundless enthusiasm for life. Even when faced with challenges, he approached life with satire, tenacity and grit. In recent months, to the delight of everyone watching, he rode around a wakeboard cable park on his belly when getting on the board had proven to be a challenge. He often used "Bub" as a term of endearment, a small but special reflection of the warmth he shared with others. Zach had the biggest heart of anyone you could ever meet, and he never met anyone who didn't love him.
Zach was a devoted fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Miami Hurricanes. He held a special affection for Disney World, one of his all-time favorite places that brought him peace and joy throughout his life.
Zach deeply loved his family. His son, Zander W. Friedlieb, was the absolute center of his world, and he loved him unconditionally. He cherished time spent with Zander and enjoyed every moment shared with his fiancée, Alexis Gonzalez, and her sons, Antonio and Abel. Alexis was the love of his life. Their magnetic pull to one another spanned more than a decade, a "tale as old as time", and their deep connection only grew stronger with the years. They were living together and joyfully engaged at the time of his passing.
Zach shared a lifelong bond with his cousin Jeromy VanderMeulen, who was more like a brother than a cousin. Zach and Jeromy remained inseparable through the years, a closeness mirrored in the friendship between their sons, Zander, Jaxon, and Joshua.
Zach also shared lasting friendships with Kyle Albero, Jay Winkley, and "Big" Joe Hallerman, who were among his most trusted and enduring companions. He was grateful for the nearby presence of his Aunt Kimberly Kobel Winkley and Jeromy's wife, Lisa, whose steady love, presence, and support were a comforting part of his everyday life. Zach truly treasured being an uncle and loved all of his nieces and nephews fiercely, with a deep and unwavering devotion.
He is survived by: his son Zander W. Friedlieb; his fiancée Alexis Gonzalez and sons Antonio and Abel; his mother Kandace K. Friedlieb; sister Amanda K. Johnson, her husband J.O., their daughters Cheyenne, Destiny and son Hayden, as well as a wide circle of dear cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and lifelong friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, William Everett Friedlieb; grandfather, William Herbert Friedlieb; grandmother, Evelyn Friedlieb; uncle, James Friedlieb; grandmother, Gwendolyn Rice; and grandfather, Frank Kobel.
His mother feels that the song "I Did It My Way" perfectly captures his essence. In the way he lived, laughed, and loved, Zach truly did it his way. A celebration of life will be held in his honor later this year, with details to be lovingly shared by his family through social media. His spirit lives on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.