Charles Mark Zarobila

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Charles Mark Zarobila on November 3, 2024, at the age of 74. 

Chuck was born on January 6, 1950 in Cleveland, Ohio to Charles and Cecilia. From a young age, Chuck enjoyed learning and academic study. He completed a Bachelor of Arts from John Carroll University in 1972. He went on to earn a Master of Arts from Syracuse University in 1977 and a PhD in English from The Ohio State University in 1984. 

Over the years, he taught at The Ohio State University, John Carroll University, Cleveland State University and Notre Dame College. He also kept on learning by attending rare book conferences at the University of Virginia. Chuck found professional fulfillment in his role as a Curator of Special Collections at the Grasselli Library at John Carroll University. Although he enjoyed his quiet role behind the scenes, he was thinking of the benefit to people. One example to highlight this was when he helped make the G.K. Chesterton room at Grasselli Library open to the public, allowing visitors to enjoy perusing a huge collection of rare books that people could touch and feel. He wanted history to be accessible to students and said "These are human artifacts- they are meant to be handled by humans. Who knows what dungeon these volumes were in before they were here. They might have been in a dank cellar during the Thirty Years War with cannon smoke filling the room. It's great for me to see students come in and touch the books to connect with them in some way." Another highlight of his career was his involvement with the curation of sixty artifacts connected with Abraham Lincoln. Although a quintessential introvert, he delighted the entire family that Christmas by animatedly sharing his slide show of this collection. 

Throughout his life, he found delight in various forms of creativity. He enjoyed tinkering with projects, like building a doll house for his niece or challenging himself to make a printing press out of household materials. He studied book binding practices and even created books at home. In his retirement, he rediscovered his love for drawing, taking courses and patiently improving his skills. He then painstakingly created beautiful gifts for members of the family, several amazing portraits and personalized pieces. He was also an avid nature lover and shared many photographs as a member of iNaturalist.org. While he loved the arts, he had an interest in technical stuff, like making old war radios and becoming a Ham radio extra class licensed operator, call sign W8QCI. He embodied the spirit of this quote from Albert Einstein: "The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind."

Chuck was the beloved son of Charles Martin Zarobila (deceased) and Cecilia Zarobila (nee Vasil). He was a cherished brother to Carlotta Mack (Gene), Christine, and Clarence (Shelley, deceased). He was a supportive Uncle to David Mack (Beth), Greg Mack, Ed Mack, (Stephanie), Amanda Schramm (Paul), Joseph Zarobila and Andrew Zarobila. He was a kind Great Uncle to Timothy, Emma, Clare, and Mae Schramm and Cora Mack. 

The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, November 11, 2024, from 9:30 - 10:30 AM at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME, 4600 MAYFIELD RD., SOUTH EUCLID (just East of Green Rd.). Mass of Christian Burial following at 11 AM at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, 1545 South Green Rd., South Euclid. Burial will be in All Souls Cemetery.