Obituary of Silvio J. "Bub" Zanni

Silvio “Bub” Zanni, 82, of Ivoryton, beloved husband of Sandra Zanni (Maskell), died on June 17, 2018.  Known for his gift of socializing, Bub was often seen driving around tri-town in his “BubZ” gray pick-up truck. He would always take the time to stop and talk to his friends and neighbors, making them smile with one of his stories, old or new.  A lifelong tri-town resident, Bub graduated from Valley Regional High School in 1953.  Soon after, he began working at his father’s service station in Deep River until 1958 when he took five years to serve his country in the United States Army.  During his entire tour, he was an auto repairman stationed in Germany.  Upon returning, he went back to Zanni’s Service Station, and he took over the business when his father retired in the early 70s. Bub loved his service station in the center of Deep River, where his many friends would sit on “Bub’s Bench” for a good part of the day, drinking the coldest Coke in town. After Bub sold his gas station, he realized he couldn’t sit still, so he called his childhood friend, John Olson, who put him to work at Whelen Engineering for ten years.  He had the best job ever - he brought coffee and donuts to the office and the shop, made runs to Deep River Hardware when tools were needed, and talked to as many people as possible every single day.  What will be remembered most about Bub’s time at Whelen is when he would be caught at high rates of speed on the highway while delivering police cruisers to Colchester.  Once he left Whelen, Bub spent many hours in his yard, mowing his grass way too short, pruning his trees that didn’t need pruning, and pulling up anything that might look like a weed.  He also took it upon himself to feed “his” many ducks that landed on the pond by his driveway.  Bub was a Deep River fixture and will be missed by many. In addition to his wife of 56 years, Sandra, he is survived by his daughter, Carolyn Crehan, her husband, Keith, and their two children, Michael and Chelsea, both of whom he adored.  He is predeceased by his sister, Bette Laliberte, who was also a resident of tri-town for most of her life.  A graveside service will be held on Friday, June 22, 11:00 AM, at Fountain Hill Cemetery, 57 High Street, Deep River, CT.  A celebration of Bub’s life will be held after the service at Red House Restaurant, 158 Main Street in Deep River.  All are welcome to attend.  Calling hours will be Thursday, June 21, 5:00 - 7:00 PM, at Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street, Centerbrook, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bub’s memory to Forgotten Felines, 153 Horse Hill Road, Westbrook, CT 06498.