Charles Edwin ZELL

ZELL, Charles Edwin
Born July 26, 1926 in Sacramento, CA; passed away December 11, 2011 in Vacaville, CA due to complications from a broken hip. Charlie was 85 years old; beloved husband of Evelyn who preceded him in death in 2005. He is survived by his daughter, Julie Hilsabeck and husband Lee, son Randall, granddaughter Kimberley Poole and husband Vic, grandson Lee Mackey, great-grandsons Bryan Poole and Brandon Mackey, and great-granddaughters Baylee Poole and Kylee Mackey. He grew up and attended high school in the bay area. Charlie completed his education with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and a Masters in Transport and Traffic Engineering, both degrees were from UC Berkeley. Charlie retired from CalTrans in 1982 and as a Lt. Col. with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Until 2007 Charlie was an active member of the Masons, Kiwanis, The Organization of Macular Friends, and was a regular volunteer docent at The California State Railroad Museum. He was a world traveler journeying almost anywhere there were trains to ride and new people to meet. He was friendly and outgoing saying that he had 'never met a stranger.' He was an avid fan of music particularly enjoying the pipe organ. He influenced his great grandchildren to take music lessons and attended their concerts frequently. Charlie was a self-proclaimed joke teller often inventing jokes just to make people laugh. He will be remembered for his 'Charlie originals.' He spent his last years in Vacaville as a resident of Emeritus Assisted Living. Visitation will be Monday, December 19, from 12:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Andrews & Greilich Mortuary, 3939 Fruitridge Road, Sacramento, CA. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 20, at 11:00 AM at East Lawn Memorial Park Chapel, 43rd and Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, CA. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made on Charlie's behalf to the California State Railroad Museum Foundation, 111 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.