Douglas Harold Zanzot

We mourn the passing of Douglas Harold Zanzot on November 15th, 2024 following a brief illness. Doug was born October 22,1941 in San Francisco, California to Captain Raymond J. Zanzot (USN, Ret.), and Mrs Thelma (Groezinger) Zanzot. As Navy brats, Doug and his older brother Warren moved frequently, with Doug graduating from Alexandria (VA) High School. Growing up, he was an avid Boy Scout, earning the rank of Eagle Scout; he also played drums in the high school band and ran cross country.

Following high school, Doug attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland, where he was in the Drum and Bugle Corps. While attending the Naval Academy he met his future wife, Diana (Myers) Zanzot, a student at Southern Seminary (now Southern Virginia University). Upon his graduation from the Academy in 1963, he was commissioned as an ensign in the United States Navy, and in 1964 he married his beloved wife; they were together for the next 60 years. He soon became known as “Uncle Duck” to many nieces and nephews.

Naval Service took Lieutenant Zanzot around the world as a communications officer on destroyers, as well as three tours of Antarctica and a tour of Vietnam. On the home front, three children came along, Sarah, Emily, and James. Doug resigned his commission in 1972 and attended the MBA program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Upon graduation he was hired as a financial analyst and, following a quick series of transfers, the Zanzot family finally settled in Sudbury, Massachusetts in 1976. Doug and Diana lived there for thirty years, with Doug building a career as a systems analyst with the Raytheon Corporation. For forty years, Doug also spent the beginning of each year working part time as a tax preparer for H&R Block.

When not busy with work or home life, Doug and the family spent many hours a week at Sudbury United Methodist Church where Doug could be found singing in the choir, counting up the weekly offering, and joining parishioners in construction projects around the church when needed. He was an avid runner, logging many miles weekly for several years and continuing to jog regularly until very recently; he ran the Boston Marathon (as a “gypsy” runner) in 2000.

But perhaps his greatest passion was leading boys and young men as a Cub Scout Den Leader, then a Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts, and, having guided his son James’ achievement of the rank of Eagle Scout, he received the Silver Beaver award recognizing his exemplary service. Doug continued to serve in various capacities with the local Boy Scouts after Doug and Diana’s relocation to Charlottesville, Virginia in 2007.

During retirement in Charlottesville, Doug and Diana joined Meadows Presbyterian Church and the local chapter of the Newcomers’ Club. Doug and Diana enjoyed studying history and architecture through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Virginia. They also became avid fans of UVA Athletics. Doug also returned to his earlier passion for music, joining the Charlottesville Municipal Band in the percussion section.

Doug and Diana settled in at the Colonnades in Charlottesville for their twilight years, and as Diana’s health began to decline, Doug dedicated himself to her care. Diana passed away in February 2024, and Doug joined her nine months later. We, his children, are very grateful for the fellowship and friendship the Zanzots found at Meadows and at the Colonnades, and are grateful to those who saw to their needs, especially to Jenny Ragsdale from Care Is There for her excellent care and attention in our parents' later days.

Mr. Zanzot is survived by his brother, Warren L. Zanzot of San Leandro, CA, his daughters Sarah (Zanzot) Panetta and Emily (Zanzot) Johnson, his son-in-law Gary C. Johnson, as well as his son James W. Zanzot; and his grandchildren, Tess and Lily Panetta, Chase and Madeleine Johnson, and Veronica and Violet Zanzot.

We will celebrate his life with a service on December 21, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Meadows Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Doug and Diana’s name to:

Meadows Presbyterian Church, 2200 Angus Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22901 (434) 296-2791