It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Robert (Bob) Alfred Zanni, who

passed away peacefully just a few days after celebrating his 99th birthday with his family. If you

knew Bob, you loved him. He was the kindest, gentlest soul who genuinely loved life and was

always happy. He will be missed by many.

Born in Jackfish, Ontario, to Frank and Filomena Zanni, Bob spent his childhood in Jackfish and

Marathon, later moving to Thunder Bay to attend Port Arthur Technical School. While attending

high school, he lived with the Bianconi family on Centre Street where he met the love of his life,

Mary Covello. Bob and Mary shared 68 wonderful years of marriage until her passing in 2019.

Bob was an employee and eventually the owner of Frank’s Texaco on Algoma Street, where he

was often mistakenly called Frank. He was deeply involved in his community, serving as

president of the Automotive Trades Association, a member of St. Anthony’s Parish, the Holy

Name Society, and the Italian Society of Port Arthur. He was a lifetime honorary member of the

Knights of Columbus and a member of the Cava Charity Golf Committee for many years.

Bob valued family above all else. Many memories were made over the years at the Covello

camp at Mackenzie and the Zanni camp at Amethyst Heights. After his retirement, he enjoyed

winters with Mary in Tucson, Arizona.

In recent years, Bob found great joy in his weekly coffee with Frank and Joe Agostino and the

gang, outings with Ron Slongo, and Thursday lunches at Bar Italia with his sons and nephews.

He also cherished regular visits from Kathy Gauley, Cindy Mustapic, and Greg and Shirley

Hookham.

Bob is survived by son Frank (Mary), grandchildren Krista (Brian), Kathy (Tony), and Joey

(Jamie), son Bobby (Connie) and their family, and his great-grandchildren Alessandra, Gavin,

Connor, JJ and Adeline. He is also survived by brother-in-law Bill Covello Sr. (Lorna), and many

nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Arundel Chartwell, Dr. Naqi,

and Kathleen from Bayshore.

A service to celebrate Bob’s life will be held at St. Anthony’s Church on Thursday, March 27th, with visitation at 9:30 am and celebratory mass at 11:00 am. Interment in St. Andrew's R.C. Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Diabetes Canada. EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma, in care of arrangements.

For those unable to attend the service will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqP3tR_wGfA and will be available after the service on the Everest website.

Please sign the Online Condolences at everestofthunderbay.com