Fairfield Bay deacon moved back to Arkansas in 1990

Published: May 14, 2020

Deacon Frank Joseph Zanoff, a deacon for 22 years in Fairfield Bay and Clinton, died May 4. He was 81.

Born at home in North Little Rock, he was the ninth child to John Zanoff and Cecilia Chicoski.

He attended St. Mary School in North Little Rock and graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1961 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, according to his funeral home obituary.

Zanoff traveled extensively for his career with Southwestern Bell and AT&T, working in various departments in Little Rock, St. Louis, Denver, Houston, Dallas and San Francisco, including nine long-distance relocations, his obituary stated.

After retiring as district manager of AT&T communications in California, the family moved to Fairfield Bay in 1990. He was ordained to the diaconate in 1998 and served at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fairfield Bay and St. Jude Church in Clinton. His obituary stated that he recently said his “happiest, most spirit-filled events in his life” were his marriage, births of his children and his permanent diaconate ordination. He was a frequent donor to Arkansas Catholic’s Guardian Angel campaign.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Gail Donaldson Zanoff; four sons, Gregory Frank Zanoff of Magnolia, Texas, Donald Joseph Zanoff of Livingston, Mont., Chief Warrant Officer 5 Charles Andrew Zanoff of Parker, Colo., and Ramon Frederick Zanoff of Fayetteville; one daughter, Dana Elizabeth Nolen of Denver, N.C.; and 10 grandchildren.

A digital rosary was held May 8. Memorials may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Church or CARTI Foundation.