When someone lives more than nine decades on this Earth, a natural question to ask is: How did they do it? For our Dad, Charles P. Zani, the answer would probably – like him – be beautifully simple. He just showed up.

Charlie was there, always, present in every way, every year, day after day after day. From winning awards for perfect attendance in grade school to being honored by the U.S. Postal Service (his employer of more than 35 years) for never calling in sick to work, Charlie showed up. For his wife, Marie, he showed up over the course of nearly 60 years of marriage, until her death in 2023. For his children, his grandchildren, parents, siblings, extended family, his church, neighbors and many friends, Charlie just showed up.

Unassuming, hard-working, humble, and task-oriented, Charlie always quietly got the job done. He was thoughtful, steadfast, and supportive, slyly funny with a unique combination of restrained enthusiasm and subtle joy. He was always the perfect complement to our glorious mother and lived to make her happy. When Mom-Marie passed a few years ago, a bit of Charlie’s light was extinguished, but still he carried on, soldiering through as he always did.

Charlie was a builder – of barracks, relationships, faith, and family. He was a veteran who served four years in the U.S. Navy Seabees, working on anything and everything in places like Bermuda, Puerto Rico and Newfoundland, Canada. After that, Charlie created a family, the Zani Six and beyond, using his skills to raise and boost and nurture each and every one of his children and grandchildren as only he could, with humility and love. He built a life that was rich, amazing, and wonderful, full of family trips, backyard barbecues, national park adventures, cruises with Mom, babies, birthdays, Christmas mornings, huge garden plots, home projects, and happy memories that filled his life like four kids with vacation luggage stuffed in the back of the Green Machine. Charlie asked for little and wanted for nothing.

Charles Peter Zani, formerly of Bridgeport, Ohio, and Abilene, Texas, and recently of Marysville, Ohio, passed away on July 15, 2026, at the age of 91. He was born on March 12, 1935, to Peter and Anna (Tarter) Zani. On Aug. 24, 1963, he married the love of his life, Marie Freund, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Bridgeport, with a reception at her family’s farm. Marie preceded him in death on June 30, 2023. Charlie is survived by his children, Carl Zani (Barbara), Andrea Zani (Greg Sprout), Cathy Forsyth and Pete Zani; grandchildren, Courtney Zani (Peter Wood), Ashley Zani, Zoe Sprout (fiancé Cooper Brannigan), Will Sprout, Mackenzie Forsyth and Natalie Forsyth; brother Richard Zani; sisters-in law Patricia Zani and Julie Froble; nieces, nephews, cousins and many other family members, neighbors and friends.

Visitation will be on Friday, July 24, 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., at Wilson’s Funeral Home, 920 National Rd., Bridgeport. A funeral Mass will be Saturday, July 25, 10 a.m., at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 630 Maple St., Bridgeport, followed by graveside services with military honor guard at St. Anthony’s Cemetery in Blaine.

To leave online condolences please visit www.wilsonfuneralhomes.com.