Michael Anthony Zulia

Michael Anthony Zulia (1949-2021)

   Michael Zulia, of Wadsworth Ohio, answered his call from God on January 31, after a long battle with multiple myeloma. He was a devoted and loving husband to Joanne Gouskos Zulia for 47 years, and proud, loving father to their three children and their partners: Eleni Zulia and Amanda Davis; Anna Maria Zulia and Anna Gesing; Sam Zulia and Nate Channel. And he took absolute delight in his three grandchildren, Beatrice, Josephine and Theodore Michael.
 
   Michael was born in 1949 in Akron, Ohio. He was a devoted son to his beloved parents Sam and Ann Zulia, and a loving brother to Ernie Zulia, and Kathryn “Cookie” Zulia and her partner Kathryn Nicolai. Michael loved family more than anything and was proud to be #12 in a clan of 136 Zulias! Family gatherings were the most precious events in his life, and family reunions were his greatest joy.
 
   Michael began working side by side with his father, Sam, at the age of 11. After attending Buchtel High School, and graduating from the University of Akron, he joined his dad full time to run Allied Microfilm Corporation, the family business, which later became Allied Infotech. After five decades of dedicated leadership, he proudly turned over the helm to his son Sam, who became the third generation to carry on the legacy. 

   Michael was a proud four-year ROTC cadet while attending college, and served as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army Reserves.
 
   From early childhood, Michael was a devout member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Akron. He began serving the church as an altar boy, and continued his service in several other ways throughout his life, including duties as a member of the board of directors. He dedicated himself to the Good Samaritans project at the church, helping to provide thousands of food baskets to those in need. He would often deliver baskets to the doors of individuals who did not have transportation. 

   Michael was always busy helping others. He drove Allied trucks filled with bottled water to Flint Michigan when they suffered a severe drinking water crisis, and he delivered hay to Kentucky during a devastating drought. He was kind to all he met, compassionate towards the pain and suffering of others, and generous to everyone, from his beloved family to total strangers. He was always willing to lend a hand, and always put others before himself. For these reasons, Michael will go on record as one of God’s humblest, and busiest angels. He was genuinely beloved by all who knew him.

   In keeping with his proud Greek heritage, Michael’s greatest earthly delight was food. He loved everything from roasted lamb on a spit, to his mother’s baklava, to a char-broiled hot dog with a Stricklands frozen custard chaser. It was his wish that a great party and feast be held after his funeral, where people could celebrate this precious life that God has given us. Due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID pandemic a memorial service at church, followed by a feast and celebration of Michael’s life will take place at a later date, when large gatherings become safe again. 

   The family is grateful to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for their generous support, and the wonderful medical team at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute who cared for Michael, and allowed him to be one of the first patients on a successful drug trial that may save the lives of countless others suffering with multiple myeloma. They are also thankful to the team at Hospice of the Western Reserve for their compassionate care in Michael’s final days.

   Due to COVID restrictions and the need for safety, there will be no calling hours. 

   Private funeral services will be held Monday, February 8, 2021 at 11:00am at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church followed by interment at Mt. Peace Cemetery.  The funeral will be livestreamed at Annunciationakron.org.  
 
   In lieu of flowers, please offer donations to the Good Samaritans at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Checks can be made out to the church and sent to 129 S. Union Street, Akron Ohio, 44304. Please include Good Samaritans in the memo line. You can also give online at: https://www.annunciationakron.org/stewardship. Click the “Give” button at the top of the page, and select “Good Samaritans Food Ministry.” 

   Arrangements are being handled by Anthony Funeral Homes at Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel (www.anthonyfh.com).

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.