Robert C. Zanelli

Robert C. Zanelli passed away on November 1, 2026, at Johnson City Memorial Hospital in Tennessee. Robert Lived in Piney Flats, Tennessee with his beloved wife Thelma Zanelli and Fur Baby “Co Co” for over 5 yrs. He was born in New York; then grew up in Haddam/Higganum, Connecticut. He was a volunteer Fire Fighter for the Haddam Volunteer Fire Department and retired after 25 plus years of service. Robert worked for Pratt and Whitney in Middleton, Connecticut for over 25 years before retiring. He was an active member of the VFW in Haddam, Connecticut until moving to Upstate New York. He moved from Upstate New York to Tennessee where he found his "Happy Place" in Piney Flats.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of almost 50 years, Thelma Zanelli; his daughter Dawn (Zanelli) Handy and her husband, Herb Handy; his grandson's, Darion Handy (deceased); Devin Handy and Quinn Kaye(adopted) and a great-grandson, Dreyden Handy. He also leaves behind a brother, Michael Zanelli and his sister, Helen Faucher.

A visitation will be held on November 12, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the small chapel of Hamlett-Dobson Funeral home & Memorial Park in Blountville, Tennessee, with a funeral service to follow. Robert will be laid to rest in Mountain Home Veterans Cemetery in Johnson City, Tennessee, at 2:00 p.m. He will have a Full Honors Ceremony with heartfelt appreciation going to Patriot Rider's and any other Volunteer Armed Service Personnel that helped in this Ceremony.

Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Robert C. Zanelli.