I was a salesman along with Ozzie back in the 80's for Pacific Wine Co. Everyone loved Ozzie ! He had such a great attitude and always good for a laugh and yes we loved to imbibe in the products we sold. I remember one Sunday afternoon when the Bears we're playing the Redskins, I invited Ozzie over to watch the game and of course football called for a few beers which Ozzie brought over. Ozzie was rooting for the Redskins, and I the Bears. I don't remember who won that game, but I do remember enjoying his company immensely. My deepest sympathy to all the family.  We will see the great OZ on the other side !

Loved those pictures of Oz from his college days.  The pictures bring a smile and ring so true for me.  Oz was a pledge my senior year at the Evans house at MU.  Among other things to me, he formed the right side of the blocking wall on the undefeated Scholar football team.  

His strength, speed and intelligence likely on occasions saved my knees and so played a key role to keep me from lots of potential pain, particularly as I write this painless at age 71.  With Ozzie joining the walls of Zupec, Moran, and Murphy, I was well protected.

That said, I was somewhat surprised to learn that Ozzie really didn't like football much.  The physical violence of it he found offensive.  He did it because he was physically gifted at it, and it became a sort of expectation after a point, I guess.  But, yeah, I saw how this gentle, good natured, and humorous enjoyer of people would find the violence of the sport off-putting.

A decade back, Ozzie helped set up a lovely business dinner for me at his restaurant on the river.  It was no surprise that, as a professional, Ozzie was ever the competent, down-to-earth gentleman as a practical, ethical, good-natured man.  

He helped me later as he helped me earlier.  He kept lanes and options open.  Ozzie was a friend, with a memory to reach back from decades past, with a sense of humor and knowing, always welcoming and welcome smile.  

Ozzie will be fondly remembered and warmly missed.  God bless.

Ted Larkin.

For years I had a recurring multi-day meeting in downtown Chicago that for several years in a row happened to fall on my birthday. These were memorable because around closing time I would head down to Lino's and have a drink or two with Oz.  He always had great stories and I would laugh hard and forget that I was another year older and away from my family for another birthday. I also caught up with Oz a couple of times when he was at Smith and Wollensky's . No matter how many years had passed between meetings he acted as if we had been talking all along. Of course, the Evans Scholar stories got bigger and better at each meeting. Rest in peace Ozzie. You will be missed and remembered.

Old friends are the best friends, as we age our lives go in different directions but that spark of friendship never dies. Thoughts and prayers.

I met Ozzie at Marquette.  As already stated, he was larger than life.  He knew everybody and was the life of the party.  We shared lots of fun times together as members of the Big White Owls intramural bowling team where Ozzie was known as Chicago’s own Carmen Salvino.  Six of us, packed in a station wagon, traveled to the Final Four in Greensboro in 1974.  On the return trip we approached a narrow bridge about the same time as an oncoming tractor trailer with “WIDE LOAD” emblazoned on the front bumper.  Ozzie warned us, as the gap between us shortened, that his grandmother would be very upset if he were killed.  Ozzie was proud of his Italian heritage and, one evening, cooked a group of us a huge batch of panzerotti.

The past two years we spent many hours on the phone reliving the past fifty years.  I visited Chicago last week and we planned to have lunch in his apartment but, sadly, it wasn’t to be.

Rest In Peace, Ozzie.  You were always lots of fun.  You may have left us but your memory will live on.  My condolences to Candy, Chris, Ozzie’s grandchildren and his sister, Mary Lou.

Viva Italia!



So many wonderful memories growing up going all through St James and going to 8th grade Prom together. We lost touch later in life but did run in to one another a few times when he worked at Lino's. To Ozzie's family my heartfelt condolonces. May he Rest In Peace 
Josephine

It was over 50 years ago when our paths first crossed at the Ryan House as Marquette Evans Scholars in freshman year.  We played on the House Football Team that was undefeated and unscored upon that year and reveled in the Thursday night victory parties.  We traveled to MU NCAA Tournament games that ended with a trip to the Final Four in 1974.  We would meet up on summer weekends with friends for concerts at Ravinia Park and trips up to Summer Fest in Milwaukee.   Ozzie visited me in Reno and Napa when I moved out West and I would always make it down town for a late night visit at Lino’s when in Chicago.   At one of the more lively night visits at Lino’s he introduced me to Irv Kupcinet who we used to listen to and joke about in Milwaukee when Kup announced Bear games with Jack Brickhouse.  It seemed everyone knew Ozzie but he was one of my closest friends.  We stayed in touch regularly for those 50 years with phone calls between periodic visits.   I will miss you and pray for you always until we meet again my Friend.

My Thoughts and Prayers and deepest condolences to Ozzie’s family.


My memories of Ozzie sound very familiar to earlier posts. Our time in Milwaukee as Evans Scholars, roommates and other life experiences remind me of Ozzie's tremendous pride of his Italian Heritage, family, culture, and food and beverage that he shared with all. Cortina D’Ampezzo was in his heart and being.
I had the privilege to experience many "Firsts" with Ozzie:
Panzerottis with Scarmoza Cheese 
Lumberjack Breakfasts on snow days during 2nd Semester 1973 in Room 4 with him & Murph.
Gnocchi at Grandma Louise’s.
Italian dining with Oysters & Clams on the Half Shell.
Airline Flight to where else, DC, to see Ozzie’s Grandfather & Uncle Mario’s Family where I heard the Zammichieli Brothers sing, “ H-U-M-O-R-E-S-Q-U-E spells Humoresque, Humoresque was written by Dvorczak.” Other highlights were a Bears, Skins Exhibition game & peel ‘n eat shrimp with cold beers before flying home.
Jack Nicholson Movies ("He's The Finest") as well as Ozzie's reprisal of the, " I'm the Shore Patrol" scene from the "Last Detail" one night in the Westown Tavern.
And I’ll see Gino’s NLB’s Fridays with Ozzie, and raise him 1 J.V. Grunt’s visit, listening to Ozzie seated at the bar in discussion with owner John Volpe & bodyguard, Frank, over numerous shots,  recalling the QB career of Washington’s Christian Adolph (Sonny) Jurgensen, who famously said to reporters about his non-athletic build, “I don’t pass with my stomach”.
Rest in Peace, Gentle Giant!!



The trip to dc picked me up to go caddy so my mother thought in the Dodge Charger

Next stop dc to visit his grandfather

Mom threatened oz sr so we had to come home early

Home run derby in highwood park

Great memories  great sense of humor 

He always said he lived in the Italian section of Skokie

Will be missed


 

I lived for three years with Ozzie during college.  Whatever others say about Ozzie in college understates the magnitude of his personality.  I remember one weeknight Ozzie decided he wanted Gino's East pizza.  Guys hop in a car with a couple of six packs and drive from Milwaukee to Chicago for deep dish.  I did not go, which I regret.

I moved to California in 1983 and lost touch with Ozzie.  I was in Chicago on a business trip around 2000.  I went out to dinner with a group of people to an Italian restaurant that someone else chose.  I walk in the door and see Ozzie is the host.  I exclaim Ozzie!  Ozzie exclaims Ruby!  We had a nice visit as if we never lost touch.  I suspect Ozzie made everyone feel the same way.  

I feel Ozzie's loss and hope his friends and family accept my sincere condolences.  

My friend Ozzie.  Unforgettable memories--early afternoon trips to the NLB where he held court, road trips to U of I in his Ford Maverick where he created the legend of Joe Kampus ,  Jack Nicholson movies,  Redskin games, pregame lineman parties, panzerotti with scarmoza cheese that he made by hand, and late, late nights ending with with one eye closed.     You will be missed Oz, but your legacy lives on in our memories..  Rest peacefully,   Gino

The Great OZ, the skunk.  One of the most cherished characters of my life that I will always think of with fondness and a smile.  The rowing team at Marquette, The great Pumpkin Caper, late night trips to Highwood, the late night lazy eye and the Beatles....ohhh The Beatles.  Family and friends have all heard the legend of Ozzie.  He was an original.  So glad I recently had a short visit with him again after 40 years.  I will miss his presence in the world but I will always cherish the memories and remember him.  

My sincerest and most heartfelt condolences. 
Frank A Cincione

My dear cousin--

You will forever be remembered for your kind heart, fun-loving nature, zest for life, and, as always HTTR.

Love you,  Ozzie. May you rest in peace.

Maria

I am so sad to hear of Ozzie's passing.  I remember all the fun times we had with him growing up in Highwood.  My thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family. Rest In Peace Oz!

Ozzie  was truly a one of a kind friend I was lucky to meet in college. Very sad to hear of his passing. Rest well, my friend.

Lived with Oz for 4 years at Marquette. He was a good man, loved to laugh, and listen to the Beatles.  Was a great football player and teammate.

He will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to Candy, Chris and family.

May the good Lord comfort you with the sweetness of his memories.

I had the inestimable pleasure and privilege of serving in the cabinet if the Mayor of Highwood when we were Marquette Evans Scholars.

He was the life of every party, a joy to know, and one of the funniest and most entertaining people I ever knew. 

More than that he was a great and loyal friend.

 

Our Condolences to Vicky, Mary Lou, and Ozzie's kids.  
We have many great memories growing up together.
May He Rest In Peace.  
God Bless All Of You, Jim & Shaaron Fiore.

may you rest in peace with mom and dad
and grandpa and grandma.

in my heart..never forgotten, love you
Mary Lou

What a loss. My dear friend Oz. I have so many great memories of our days together at Marquette. 
To Oz’s beautiful family I express my deep condolences. May he Rest In Peace.

OBITUARY

Ozzie Gene Zammichieli

July 31, 1952 – April 18, 2021

Oehler Funeral Home

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