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Francis Zakrzewski Obituary
Frank graduated from West Rutland High in 1958, from Castleton State College in 1963 and did graduate work at St. Michael's College. "Mr. Z." was a much loved and respected history teacher who touched many lives in his 36 years at St. Mary's, Central Catholic and BFA high schools in St. Albans, Vermont. Frank was an outstanding athlete and excelled in basketball and baseball in both high school and college. He continued his love of these sports by coaching for 18 years and officiating and time keeping for the BFA basketball teams. He was on a teacher's bowling league and remained active through his adult life playing softball and tennis. In retirement, Frank and his wife loved spending winters at Sun & Fun Resort Park in Sarasota, Florida. They made many friends and enjoyed the sunshine and outdoor living.
Frank was a member of St. Mary's Parish in St. Albans, served on the parish council for a period of time and participated in masses as a reader. He belonged to the national, state and local teacher's associations.
Frank was a loving husband to his wife of 47 years, Mary Lou (Gallagher) Zakrzewski, and took great pride in being father to his two daughters Karen Holbrook of Worcester, Massachusetts and Kristen Bonasera of St. Albans. The proudest title Frank held was "Grampy" to his granddaughters Isabella Bonasera and Olivia Holbrook. He loved spending time with them, and they adored him. Frank and his brother Al shared a very close bond and even when apart, their weekly Saturday morning calls kept their relationship strong.
Frank will be greatly missed by his brother, Al Zakrzewski and his wife, Carole, of Center Rutland, Vermont; brother-in-law Don Gallagher of Florida; niece Cheryl (Zakrzewski) Foice and her husband Al and their children Nathan and Nicole of Essex, Vermont; nephews Michael Zakrzewski of Rutland, Vermont, Matthew and Brian Gallagher of Florida; aunts Frances (Kramarz) Miglis and her husband, George, of Center Rutland, Vermont and Marie Kramarz of Colonie, New York and her late husband Theodore "Ted" Kramarz; uncle Walter Kramarz and his wife, Shirley, of Bristol, Connecticut; many beloved cousins and the wonderfully dear friends that make up his St. Albans family.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Thursday, May 12, 2011 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at the Heald Funeral Home, 87 South Main Street, St. Albans.
A Mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 13, 2011 at 11:00 am in St. Mary's Church on Fairfield Street in St. Albans. Immediately following the mass there will be a memorial service in the church followed by a luncheon in the parish center. All are invited to attend. Honor Frank's memory with a contribution to the American Cancer Society, Vermont Division, 55 Day Lane, Williston, VT 05495 or a charity of your choice. Private messages of condolence are welcome at
www.healdfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Francis Zakrzewski
May 22, 2011
Marylou & family , Our deepest Sympathy to you. You all are in our prayers & thoughts. A nn Marie & Jeff Rose
May 19, 2011
We were next door neigbours to Frank and Marylou at Sun n Fun in Florida.Our best memory was having drinks on the fishing pier on warm sunny evenings.Frank was an avid reader and in recent years I introduced him to a English author Dick Francis whos books he enjoyed whilst sat outside his home.There was always a smile and a wave as he passed by.We will miss you Frank.
Mike & Brenda Bell
England UK
Len & Bren Owen
May 17, 2011
We lived next door to Frank and Marylou in Sun-n-fun in Florida. We have so many memories wonderful memories of Frank, but we suppose his famous score book which he used when we played cards every week must be the best. How we used to rib him about his scoring, he would look back weeks to tell us that he had won? No doubt he has taken it up there with him. Thanks for the memories Frank
May 16, 2011
I am so sorry to hear the loss of Fran. My deepest sympathy to all his family and friends.
Ann (Shannon) Sherry, Glastonbury, CT
Joan Axtt
May 15, 2011
Dear Marylou and Family,
I was saddened when you called to tell me of Frank's passing. I remember when you first came to Sun-N-Fun and played in the Tennis Tournament, Frank was my partner....That was really my first introduction to Frank. He was such a pleasant man and I know that you will miss him terribly. As I told you, Marylou, I will be there for you when you need someone to talk to. I will miss his smile and wave as I go past your place at SNF. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time and in the future.
Judy and Gary Novak
May 15, 2011
Mary Lou....
Gary and I will miss Frank very much. We both enjoyed our conversations with him and he had such joy for life. I talked to him a lot while watching you play at the last tennis tournament and told him I hoped I would have his attitude and sense of peace if I were in his situation. We will miss him when we ride by but he is at peace and in no more pain. Our gracious Lord will help you and your family through this time.
May 15, 2011
Dear Mary Lou,
Sorry to hear of Frank's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Your Sun&Fun friends ( and dance partner)
Brian and Linda Bezanson
May 15, 2011
To Mary Lou and family, we will miss Frank so much at Sun-N-Fun. He was very patient in teaching me tennis when I started out.
Mark and Mary Swartz
May 14, 2011
MaryLou & Daughters: We too are grieving this great loss--Frank was a tremendous help in planning and bringing into being the tennis Constitution & By-Laws that we passed this year --each time we participate in tennis we will think fondly of this great man--the Jamisons's , Tracy and Sandy./.
Lori Lemnah
May 14, 2011
As a 1974 graduate of BFA, Mr. Z was my history teacher and well loved as the best teacher in our graduating class. I recall our first assignment was to spell his last name correctly, I recall the first attempt was not as expected. Just recently during a business seminar we were asked to speak to "our most memorable educator", mine was Mr.Z. I am so sorry for your loss, Mr. Z left a legacy for all he touched. In prayers, Lori Lemnah
Ralph and Rachel Leroux
May 14, 2011
To Mary Lou and family,
SunNFun in Florida just won't be the same without Frank's great smile. Our deepest sympathy to you all at this sad time.
May 13, 2011
My sincere sympathy and condolences.
Charlie "Bud" Glidden, Sarasota, FL
Dan and Dawn House
May 12, 2011
We are so sorry for the huge loss of Frank. We feel lucky to have shared our trip to Nashville with the both of you and our weekly smiles at the Church of St. Patrick's. We will certainly miss him. May God be with you and your girls through this difficult time.
Dan and Dawn House
May 11, 2011
Dear Mary Lou and daughters,
I offer you my deepest sympathy in the death of your dear husband & father. He was a wonderful man and I enjoyed playing tennis with him at the Complex.
I know many of my family had him as a teacher and coach at St. Mary's and Central Catholic High Schools. I know Frank talked to me about coaching my brother, Tom.
May God grant you some quiet moments to reflect on your many family memories.
Sincerely,
Jeanne Howrigan
May 11, 2011
Our prays are with you and God bless....mary and chet zakreski (port st lucie fla)
Patricia Fabian Adkins
May 11, 2011
To the Zakrzewski Family:
My deepest sympathy to you all. I was saddened to hear of Fran's passing. I was a classmate of Fran's all through grade school and high school and our parents were very good friends. He was such a pleasant young man all those years and I am pleased to hear he was so well respected by all and had such a good life with a loving family. May all your good memories give you comfort during this difficult time.
Irene Fabian
May 11, 2011
I was so sorry to hear of the loss of "Fran". I think of times when we were young and growing up on Elm street and our parents were good friends and it brings back such nice memories of all of us together. My deepest sympathy goes out to Al and the whole family and I know he will be missed by many. May your special memories bring you comfort during the difficult days.
Christine Allen
May 10, 2011
Al, Carol & Family
Our prayers are with you, our deepest sympathy for all of you.
Christine & Paul Allen
Rutland Town, Vt
Louise (Swierzewski) & Bill Costello
May 10, 2011
Dear Zakrzewski Family,
Our deepest sympathy to your family. I had the pleasure of being a classmate of Fran's from Grades 1 - 12, and my husband was a classmate of his from Grades 9 - 12. He was a wonderful person, always cordial. It doesn't surprise us that he touched so many lives - a good example for many. May his soul rest in peace and the memory of him always warm your hearts.
John Broza
May 10, 2011
Frank was one of the finest basketball players ever at West Rutland High. I played with him and can still see his deadly left-handed shot. I'm sure that his students will always remember him.
May 9, 2011
Dear Zakrzewski family,
Mr. Z had a special place at St. Mary's where he was the only male teacher and young as well. I still remember him fondly and am so sorry for your loss.
Susan Bernier Gregg (Vienna, VA)
May 9, 2011
My deepest sympathy to Mary Lou and family. "Fran", as we called him at WRHS was a great classmate and he will be missed by us all. Betty (Haven) Baginski, a Classmate from 1958
Beth Simpson
May 9, 2011
Mr "Z" will always be remembered fondly by all the many students whose lives he touched in so many ways. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Mary Lou. Frank was such a special man.
Dick & Colleen Mable
May 9, 2011
Dear Mary Lou and family,
Dick & I send our sincere regards on the passing of your husband & father. We have many fond memories of him from our years at St. Mary's until graduation in '66.
May 9, 2011
Mary Lou:
Our sincere condolences to you and your family. We missed Frank on the tennis courts this winter at Sun n Fun while he bravely took his treatments. He always maitained a warm and friendly attitude while he fought his battle with cancer.
We will miss seeing him and waving at us as we ride our bike to the tennis courts.
Ria and Bob Colquhoun, Goderich, Ontario
May 9, 2011
"FRAN" - Was A Great Person, Husband AND Father. You will be greatly missed by all. My sympathy to Mary Lou, Karen and Kristen.
Fran (Wasik) Kramarz
Neil Cunningham
May 9, 2011
Sincere condolences. I have many great memories of Frank from school at WRHS.
Michelle Thomas
May 9, 2011
I am saddened to hear of Mr Zakrzewski's passing . I enjoyed having him as my social studies and history teacher during my time at BFA. He will definitely be missed. Michelle Thomas Class of 1984
Bonnie Marshall Dobson
May 9, 2011
Sorry to hear of the loss of such a great man. Mr. Z. was the kind of teacher that every student should have. He made learning fun and you could always tell just how much he loved his profession. Although I graduated from BFA in 1973 I have never forgotten him and I mourn his loss. Thank you Mr. Zakrzewski for being the kind of teacher who left such a postive influence on your students. Rest in peace.
Bonnie Marshall Dobson, BFA class of 1973
Kathy Sweeny O'Donnell
May 9, 2011
Most people hope to leave this world having made it a better place. There is no doubt that
Ftank accomplished this mission with excellence. For me, a girl who was raised to be seen, not heard, he gave me permission to form my own oplnions and share them. My brother loves history because
of Mr Z and my cousin is a teacher because of him. Imagine how many other families have similar stories. i feel honored to have known him as a teacher but more so as a friend 49 years later!
Mary Lou and girls thank you for sharing your husband and father with so many. He certainly made the world a
better place.
Julie Shasteen
May 9, 2011
May you find comfort in your wonderful memories.
Vicki Menard
May 9, 2011
So sorry to hear of the passing of such a wonderful man. He was one of those teachers whom a student remembers well beyond graduation.
VIcki Menard
BFA class of 1981
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