Thomas M. Zanes

Thomas M. Zanes "Fuzzy"
On Sunday, December 15, 2013, Thomas M. Zanes joined the Lord for an eight o'clock tee time in heaven. He was joined by his loving mother Erika Zanes, and his older sister Sylvia Keener as the newest angel at God's clubhouse. "Thom" was born July 28, 1958 in Newport News, Virginia.
He enjoyed a full life in his short 55 years. He was a loving and devoted husband of 23 years to wife Jan. He cherished his daughter, Chrissy (Christine), and grandsons Avery and Tristan. He worked and made many friends at Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital, and retired after 31 years of service from the United States Postal Service.
"Fuzzy," as he was known to his grandsons, nieces and nephews, and friends, was an avid sports fan. He started bowling at a very young age, a love he shared with his father, and carried a 200 plus average for several years, with seven 300 games and an 802 series. He loved golf and was very proud of his hole-in-one at Barberton Brookside. He loved his New England Patriots, but was also a long suffering Cleveland Browns fan.
He loved traveling out west with Jan to visit the mountains and casinos. Thom is free at last after a courageous battle with Kidney Cancer.
He is survived by his wife and caregiver, Jan; daughter Christine Clarkston (Josh); and grandsons Avery and Tristan, all of Akron. Also to mourn his passing, his father, William Zanes of Akron; brother, Bill (Glenna) of Texas; sister, Karen Thomas of Tallmadge; and Reta Forest, the mother of his daughter, of Akron, with whom he maintained a friendship. Thom will also be missed by numerous other relatives from the U.S. and Germany, friends, co-workers, and special friends who supported him throughout his illness Pat, Karen, Jerry, and Jeannine.
The family would like to thank Dr. Trochelman and Dr. Kunos as well as all the staff at the Cooper Cancer Center, Dr. Canterbury, and the staff of the Oncology Unit at Summa Health of Akron for helping Thom battle this horrible disease for 29 heroic months. Additionally, the family thanks Dr. Rickard and the Palliative Care Team at Summa. A special thank you to Kathy, Caren, and Doug, his R.N.s for their extreme compassion, professionalism, and exceptional care. "Death is a heartache no one can heal; love is a memory no one can steal."
Calling hours will be this Thursday, December 19, 2013 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 131 N. Canton Rd., 44305, where funeral services will be held Friday, December 20, 2013 at 10 a.m. Interment at Hillside Memorial Park to follow with Rev. Fleary Spurlock to officiate. PER THOM'S REQUEST, in lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Zanes Family Memorial Fund at any First Merit Bank to provide for his grandsons' future.