Steven Hilbert Ziel

Steven Hilbert Ziel, 67, passed away Friday, November 24, 2017 at his home at 6827 Belle Shadow Ln. in Tampa. He leaves his oldest son, Christopher Ziel, 31, of Tampa, his oldest daughter, Ruth Ann Byrd, 43, of Four Oaks, North Carolina, and his youngest daughter, Stephanie Bagatta, 25, of Marlboro, New York. Mr. Ziel leaves behind four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Mr. Ziel is also survived by five siblings; Susan Hart, James Ziel, Joy Ziel, Jennifer Johnson, and Carolyn Goodspeed. Born in New Britain, Connecticut, and raised in East Haddam, Connecticut, the son of Hilbert and Helen Ziel, he spent his early adulthood in Connecticut and New Jersey, but had been a Tampa resident for over 25 years. Mr. Ziel enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1972. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War. Mr. Ziel achieved the rank of E4 Sergeant, and was honorably discharged in 1977. After serving with the U.S. Air Force, Mr. Ziel entered civilian life and worked for several companies throughout his life, including IBM, as distribution and warehouse manager. Mr. Ziel had a passion for dogs, and owned two rescued greyhounds, Stena and Lynzie, and most recently he owned an applehead chihuahua, Gizmo. Mr. Ziel was an avid sports fan, and was a longtime fan of both the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football team. Mr. Ziel also enjoyed bowling as a pastime. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 15th, 2017 at 11:00am at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Greyhound Rescue and Adoption of Tampa Bay (GREAT) P.O. Box 152407 Tampa, FL 33684-2407