J. Donald
Zelazny
February 16, 1932 - February 28, 2014
J. Donald Zelazny, died on February 28, 2014 at age 82.
"Don" was born in Cleveland on February 16, 1932, the first of two sons (Tom) of Joseph and Harriet Zelazny. He attended Purdue University where he obtained Bachelor's ('54) and Master's degrees in Electrical Engineering.
Following two years of service in the US Army he returned to Cleveland. In Cleveland he met his future wife Marcella Bradley who had moved to Cleveland from Prince Edward Island, Canada. They were married on June 25, 1960.
1961 brought the arrival of their first son Donald (Michelle and children Andrew and Tessa). 1964, daughter Debra Wilson (William Jewell, daughters Pamela and Rachel). 1967 daughter Trudy, (James Hoen, daughter Lucy, son Johnny). 1971, son Daniel (Kara, daughters Belle and Nora and son Mac).
Don held positions at Reliance Electric and Toledo Scale before purchasing his own company, Z-Weigh in Grand Blanc in 1979.
Besides his family, his outside interests included photography (of virtually anything and everyone!), fishing and emailing everyone many times a day. Growing up Don spent many days fishing on Lake Erie with his family and friends and was at his finest floating on that lake with a fishing pole in his hand. That tradition continued for many years fishing with his children and family with his Aunt Ruth and her husband Steve on the Ruthie Baby out of Port Clinton, Ohio.
Very proud of his Polish heritage, Don was able to fulfill a lifelong dream and travel to Poland with his son Donald in 2011. This was followed by some fairly successful attempts to recreate the mushroom soup from his favorite mom and pop restaurant he visited on the street in Warsaw.
At most any of his children's and then grandchildren's events Don and Marcy could be found smiling in the stands, although generally Don's face was obscured by a camera lens!
Don had a very strong faith and dearly loved the Catholic church, so as he sensed his time on earth was nearing an end he was comforted knowing that he was going to a better place and that we would all get to visit him there at another time.
He will missed terribly but remembered dearly!
Loving husband of Marcella. Father of Donald J., DDS (Michelle), Debra Wilson (William Jewell), Trudy Hoen (James), and Dan (Kara). Grandfather of Pamela, Rachel, Lucy, Belle, Johnny, Andrew, Mac, Tessa, and Nora. Brother of Tom (the late Pat).
The Family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 5, 2014, from 3-9 p.m. at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Road, Troy (between Maple & Big Beaver), 248-362-2500, with Vigil Service at 7:30 p.m.
Funeral Mass Thursday, March 6 - 11 a.m. at St. Mary of the Hills Catholic Church, 2675 John R, Rochester Hills (north of Auburn Road). Visitation at church begins Thursday at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to:
American Lung Association.
"Don" was born in Cleveland on February 16, 1932, the first of two sons (Tom) of Joseph and Harriet Zelazny. He attended Purdue University where he obtained Bachelor's ('54) and Master's degrees in Electrical Engineering.
Following two years of service in the US Army he returned to Cleveland. In Cleveland he met his future wife Marcella Bradley who had moved to Cleveland from Prince Edward Island, Canada. They were married on June 25, 1960.
1961 brought the arrival of their first son Donald (Michelle and children Andrew and Tessa). 1964, daughter Debra Wilson (William Jewell, daughters Pamela and Rachel). 1967 daughter Trudy, (James Hoen, daughter Lucy, son Johnny). 1971, son Daniel (Kara, daughters Belle and Nora and son Mac).
Don held positions at Reliance Electric and Toledo Scale before purchasing his own company, Z-Weigh in Grand Blanc in 1979.
Besides his family, his outside interests included photography (of virtually anything and everyone!), fishing and emailing everyone many times a day. Growing up Don spent many days fishing on Lake Erie with his family and friends and was at his finest floating on that lake with a fishing pole in his hand. That tradition continued for many years fishing with his children and family with his Aunt Ruth and her husband Steve on the Ruthie Baby out of Port Clinton, Ohio.
Very proud of his Polish heritage, Don was able to fulfill a lifelong dream and travel to Poland with his son Donald in 2011. This was followed by some fairly successful attempts to recreate the mushroom soup from his favorite mom and pop restaurant he visited on the street in Warsaw.
At most any of his children's and then grandchildren's events Don and Marcy could be found smiling in the stands, although generally Don's face was obscured by a camera lens!
Don had a very strong faith and dearly loved the Catholic church, so as he sensed his time on earth was nearing an end he was comforted knowing that he was going to a better place and that we would all get to visit him there at another time.
He will missed terribly but remembered dearly!
Loving husband of Marcella. Father of Donald J., DDS (Michelle), Debra Wilson (William Jewell), Trudy Hoen (James), and Dan (Kara). Grandfather of Pamela, Rachel, Lucy, Belle, Johnny, Andrew, Mac, Tessa, and Nora. Brother of Tom (the late Pat).
The Family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 5, 2014, from 3-9 p.m. at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Road, Troy (between Maple & Big Beaver), 248-362-2500, with Vigil Service at 7:30 p.m.
Funeral Mass Thursday, March 6 - 11 a.m. at St. Mary of the Hills Catholic Church, 2675 John R, Rochester Hills (north of Auburn Road). Visitation at church begins Thursday at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to:
American Lung Association.
Visitation
A. J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home
2600 Crooks Road (btw Maple & Big Beaver)
Troy, MI US 48084
Troy, MI US 48084
Vigil Service Wednesday evening at 7:30 PM
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Funeral Mass
St. Mary of the Hills Church
2675 John R
Rochester Hills, MI US 48307-4652
Rochester Hills, MI US 48307-4652
Visitation at church begins Thursday at 10:30 AM
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Cemetery
Guardian Angel Cemetery
4701 Rochester Road
Rochester, MI US 48306
Rochester, MI US 48306
