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Michael Zanos July 28, 1951 - October 8, 2020

Michael Zanos

July 1951 – October 2020

It is with deep sorrow and tremendous love we mourn the passing of the man, the myth, the legend”¦Mike Zanos.

Mike sadly passed away after a long illness on October 8, 2020.  He was a beloved son, husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin, grandfather and great grandfather, and a dear friend to many.

Mike was born and raised in Turlock. He attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from Turlock High School Class of 1970.  He was proud to claim that his granddaughter was a 4th generation THS graduate.

Mike had a long career in the dairy industry spanning 50 years, starting out working with his father at Zanos Bros. Distributors delivering milk. He was known by many as Mike Butterman.

His other entrepreneurial endeavors included C & Z Chimney Sweeps with a long-time friend and partner Greg Cook. This then led to Mike’s Video and Pizza with beloved friends and partners Mike & Charlotte Dutra.

He was an avid NASCAR, SF 49er and Giants fan. He was a Chapter #58 Clamper member. Mike claimed to be one of the first animal rights activists in Turlock.  He along with his fellow activists would release all the animals from the animal shelter on several occasions.

His hobbies included hosting BBQs for family and friends while drinking a Keystone and rocking out to Meatloaf.

He was preceded in death by his father George Zanos and mother Neva Sisco Zanos. He leaves behind his beloved “Precious” wife of 49 years Joanne B. Zanos; his daughters Desirae Zanos (Mike Macias) and Christy Zanos; brother Nick Zanos; nephew Nick Zanos Jr and niece Angela Zanos; grandchildren Andrea Moreno, R.J. Alcantar, Gavin and Michael Macias; and great granddaughter Adalynn Becerra.

A visitation and rosary will be held at Allen Mortuary on Friday, Oct. 16 from 5-7pm. A funeral mass will be held outdoors at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Saturday, Oct. 17 at noon.

Due to COVID guidelines, social distancing and masks are required.

The family will be having a Celebration of Life at a later date.

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Condolences(22)

  1. Cyndi says

    Mike I miss you & love you please hug & kiss everyone for me. Love Cyndi

  2. Steve Langdon says

    Wow, what sad news…..I remember Mike being funny, a good friend to oh so many. I’m sorry for his family, you’re in my thoughts and prayers. you’ll be missed Mike.

  3. Bob Koughn says

    Best plant manager period. It was in his blood. Had some great talks. Great friend.

  4. Bob Koughn says

    Best plant manager period. It was in his blood. Had some great talks. Great friend.

  5. Bill Saaty says

    Mike is going to be missed by sooooo many. I truly grew to love that man, who ALWAYS made me laugh with his jokes and good natured kidding. His wife Joanne IS a Jewel, and she has a heart of gold. Later, Mike. I won’t say good by because I’ll see you later.

  6. Rita Dellis says

    Very sorry to hear of Mike’s Passing…A Fair, Kind dedicated Man, we worked together at FF..

  7. Christy Zanos says

    Dad
    This is harder than I could ever imagine. I want to wake up and see you sitting on the couch watching CSI and telling me “it’s garbage day” If you could just really be there I promise to never roll my eyes at you again. And I promise to pick up the cat poop and I will finally make dinner. I promise. You were so many things to so many people but they don’t know you as DAD. Not many people can say they had a perfect childhood. But I can. Our house was 24/7 full of laughter and love. And food. We had a constant flow of kids in the pool and friends over for BBQs. It was always “just come to my house you’ll love my parents they’re cool.” I don’t think we ever locked ours doors. And Oh the stray animals we fed and housed too many to name. But you were so much more than that. You raised girls. You were patient and loving and kind and so much fun and you never complained. Not even about all the clothes the makeup and the hairspray. You led us by example. And you told me “if you come to a brick wall you find a way over it, under it, around it, or through it, there’s always a way. Never take NO for an answer even if you’re a girl!! And don’t take any SHIT from anyone.” Missing you is an understatement but I’ll try not to cry too much and I promise to take care of mom for you. I love you. Thank you for loving me and taking such good care of me. I’ll see you soon Dad…

  8. Cecelia McCraw says

    Praying for Joanne and family. Love You.

  9. Rj says

    Papa would always ask who my favorite papa was I would always say him

  10. Jim Sisco says

    Goodbye to my wonderful cousin who was more like a brother to me.

  11. Keith Gomes says

    Truly enjoyed knowing Mike and working with him for many years in the CA dairy industry. He will be greatly missed by all.

  12. Paul White says

    We lost a great and wonderfully charismatic man in the passing of Mike.He will be missed by so many people.Im sure where he is he’s got them in stitches already!

  13. Karen Klaproth White says

    So saddened by Mike’s passing, but so thankful I was able to see he and Joanne a couple of months ago. Mike was such a fun and crazy guy. What a blessing to his family and all who knew him. He and Joanne were such a great couple and I pray her memories of him will give she and her family comfort in the days ahead.

  14. Sylvia Jimenez says

    Mike you ARE a legend. You were the dad, Jo Ann was the mom some of us didn’t have. Always welcoming to. We love celebrating holidays with you guys. Just to have fun and laugh. No words could EVER describe this loss. My sons still laugh at Andreas 16th birthday when you were wearing that tiny shirt with baby Andrea’s face and the shirt was to small.. and they said nice shirt.. and they asked you where you got it.. and you said a porn site… and we laughed so hard… thank you for so many memories. God bless you Jo Ann. The best family we all are so thankful to know. Christy and Dez you are in my heart and prayers. God bless you all and I know Mike is asking if anyone at Staley’s still asks about him… we will definitely never forget you Mike… when I do go to Staley’s I’m taking a shot for you…god bless

  15. Nick Zanos says

    He wasn’t heavy he was just my brother. He took care of me and visited me everyday when I was sick. He was the best brother ever and I will love him always.

  16. Richard Cutler says

    I had the pleasure of working with Mike in the dairy industry. He was a great man and friend. You will be missed.

  17. Brittni Paulson says

    I had the privilege of being one of Mikes granddaughter Andreas best friends growing up. In that time I got to know Mike. His love for nascar and all things sarcasm. I’ll never forget him telling me not to worry when andrea ran inside one day that “she had gas” and that was what made her angry. Something I sincerely admired was how he put his family first. He was present and reliable. I’ll never forget the hospitality Mike and “lala” have shown me throughout the years for those times I am so grateful. Rest in peace papa Mike! Heaven just got one badass angel!

  18. Ryan Barney says

    If you don’t take that load of milk you will never get another chance at it.
    Never fertilize your lawn you’ll have to mow it more often.

  19. Melissa Harris says

    He always was welcoming to me and all of Andrea’s friends with our many sleepovers. I remember him calling me “Indian girl” because I never wore shoes and was always coming to his house barefoot. I remember him always in the backyard with a beer, watering his tomato plants. I always jumped at the chance to pick his tomato’s for him because he called me the best tomato picker. Anytime I would see him around town, he would honk his horn at me. He will be missed.

  20. Kyle Tiernan says

    My Uncle Mike gave me a beer when I was far too young and said it was what my grandpa, his relative, would’ve wanted. Love you Uncle Mike. Gonna miss talkin Niners with you.

  21. Mark Brennecke says

    I have known Mike and Nick Zanos all of my life and have been friends with the family my entire life . I have so many memories of childhood years growing up together . I will miss you forever
    brother.

  22. Desirae Zanos says

    Words loved by Mike … but sung by Meatloaf

    I know that I will never be politically correct
    And I don’t give a damn about my lack of etiquette
    As far as I’m concerned the world could still be flat
    And if the thrill is gone, then it’s time to take it back!

    Who am I? Why am I here?
    Forget the questions! Someone gimme another beer!
    What’s the meaning of life? What’s the meaning of it all?
    You gotta learn to dance before you learn to crawl!

    And I ain’t in it for the power,
    and I ain’t in it for my health
    I ain’t in it for the glory of anything at all,
    and I sure ain’t in it for the wealth

    But I’m in it ’till it’s over and I just can’t stop
    If you wanna get it done, you gotta do it yourself,
    and I like my music like I like my life

    Everything louder than everything else!

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