Frank Zacharias

Frank was born on May 7, 1927, in Graz, Austria. He lived in Austria through the Depression and WWII, earned his JD from the University of Vienna, and married the love of his life, Litzi, in Vienna in 1951. They immigrated to Vancouver, Canada, in 1953, and built their home and family there. In 1965, after a brief discussion, Frank and Litzi decided to move to Southern California with their daughter, Joanie. Frank was an entrepreneur at heart and in 1977, he bought his own business, Eldon Drapery and Carpet Cleaners. Litzi did the bookkeeping, Joanie handled the office work, and Frank was in his element, running his business and interacting with customers, employees, suppliers, and working within his community as a volunteer at Annunciation Church, the West Covina Lions Club, and other local business organizations. In 1988, Frank semi-retired so that he could spend more time with Litzi and with Joanie, her husband Kurt and their children, Kent and Christine. When Litzi’s health began to deteriorate, Frank took on the job of caring for her full-time. After Litzi’s passing, Frank met Nancy Ruyter, and they travelled to Europe every year, visiting family and friends in many countries. Frank always had a ready smile and the ability to make friends everywhere he went. He was a philosopher at heart and loved to discuss interesting things, current events, politics, religion “not just the weather report”.

Frank was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Litzi, two infant daughters, Maria and Vibiana, and his sister, Erika Palliardi. He is survived by his daughter, Joan and her husband Kurt Lawson, grandson, Kent Lawson, granddaughter, Christine Lawson, great-grandsons, Kane and Mace, brothers Wolfgang (Elisabeth) Zacharias and Fritz (Hermi) Zacharias, his companion of many years, Nancy Lee Ruyter, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. We will all miss him until we are reunited again.