Michael Dennis Zenzel, age 79, passed peacefully June 6, 2023 at St Jude's Hospital in Fullerton, CA., with his family present.

Michael was born to Michael and Natalie Zenzel on August 6, 1943 in Brooklyn, NY. Michael has two siblings, Richard Zenzel (deceased) and Margaret (Marge) Panny, of Green Creek, New Jersey. Michael moved to Newark, NJ with his parents and siblings, and graduated from North 13th Street Vocational School, Hillside, New Jersey in 1962.

Michael enlisted into the United States Marine Corp in 1963. He was stationed at the United States Naval Base in Naples, Italy where he met the love of his life, Adele Laino Zenzel. Michael  served his country in Vietnam, Okinawa Japan, the Philippines, Camp Lejeune (NC), Camp Pendleton (CA), Camp Shelby (MS), Quantico (VA), and the Marine Corp Recruiting Depot in Connecticut. He retired after a 30-year military career as the Group Sergeant Major of MAG 39 (Marine Air Group) at Camp Pendleton, CA. He received two meritorious promotions during his USMC career. Being a career Marine enabled Michael to establish valuable friendships, including lifelong friend Bob Holub of Hawaii.

Michael and Adele have two children, Robert Zenzel (sp. Tammy Zenzel) of North Carolina and Sabrina Zenzel Pawley of California.  Michael is the proud and doting grandfather of six grandchildren: Zachary Pawley, Nicholas Pawley, Christopher Pawley, Savannah Pawley, all of California, and Elisha Zenzel, Michael Zenzel, Anna Zenzel, all of North Carolina. Michael always put family first, and he never missed his kids and grandkids sporting events.

Michael was an avid stamp collector from his early days as a child, collecting thousands of stamps throughout his lifetime. He was a dedicated Brooklyn/LA Dodgers fan, stemming from growing up in the shadow of Ebbets Field as a child, carrying through to adulthood as he took his son to LA Dodgers games. Michael enjoyed going to dinners at the Staff NCO Club on base with his family. He looked forward to family outings and road trips, with Morro Bay being one of his favorite spots. Michael's most memorable trip was a family trip to Italy in 1987, the last family vacation before his children left for college. His main concern was gaining too much weight from indulging in Italian food over the 30-day trip.

The Funeral Mass will be Thursday June 29, 2023, at 10am PST, at San Francisco Solano Catholic Church, 22082 Antonio Pkwy, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688. Father Aristotle Quan will be officiating. There will be a military honor guard at the graveside at 2:15pm PST at Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Drive San Diego, CA 92122.