Comments on: Mr. Zonis

By: MIke

MIke — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 15:49:15 +0000

I just learned that Mr. Zonis had passed away. I worked for him in operations and he was a tough boss, but very fair and he always wanted to know about family! He will be missed by many.

God Bless

Mike

By: Dave Miller

Dave Miller — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:09:04 +0000

John,
I am a little late in discovering that Mr. Zonis has departed. In any case, I have to add my few words. Coming to Carnival as an “outsider” in 1995, there were 2 people who gave me an immediate feeling of belonging: Mr Zonis and John Heald. Mr. Zonis had many special qualities as mentioned above but one more thing is how well he could see inside people and know their motivations, and character. I think that is why he always made me feel like I had a place. He called me into his office several times with the heavy brusk voice. The secretaries all thought I was going in for a bollicking and he would say “Close the door”. And then he would say, “Tell Captain Lo your joke about the 2 old women with the schmata”. Always a joker and a music lover. We lost a kindred spirit.

By: BryceandJenn

BryceandJenn — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:33:59 +0000

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends including all the lives he touched through Carnival.

Thank you for all you did for all of us, even if we never knew we had you to thank for it!

May God keep you and your family,
Bryce and Jenn Fisher

By: Israel (Izzy) Saferstein

Israel (Izzy) Saferstein — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:48:14 +0000

Hi John,

I am a retired Supervisory Customs Inspector, and had the distinct pleasure of knowing Mr. Zonis, for many many years. We had respect for each other .
As a matter of fact, I was the Supervisor assigned to that
ship when his car went into the water. I believe it was a
T Bird, not a Lincoln. He was very calm about the whole
thing, although a bit embarrassed.
We exchanged jokes many times, and he always out-did
me. He had hundreds of them.
I spoke to his wife Clara this evening and sent my
condolences. I truly loved the Guy and we were good friends.
May he rest in peace and it was an honor to know him.

Izzy
Nov. 8th, 2009

By: Tim

Tim — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:53:19 +0000

I loved Mr. Zonis, and as I read through the list of all the people, many I know, that left comments, I know I am not alone.

At a reunion in December, I was warned he was nearly blind. We had not seen each other in many years. I walked in the building, I saw him from about 20 feet away, he looked up at me, grinned and said “Tim Harkleroad, come over here!”

I was honored to “honor” him with a story or two that night. I will truly miss him, he was always honest, straight, and generous to me. He will be missed.

By: Carol Massie-Givan

Carol Massie-Givan — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:20:51 +0000

Mr. Zonis was such an influencial part of my performing career. He always encouraged me and made me feel as though the sky was the limit and I could grow and prosper if I put your heart and energy into it.

Thank you to the Carnival family for a great start to a wonderful career. We are thinking of you all, with sincere thoughts in this difficult time of goodbyes.

Carol – of “Peter and Carol” – Magic Team for 3 years and Cruise Director team.

By: Old Yeoman

Old Yeoman — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:06:28 +0000

Thank you for the fitting tribute to Mr Zonis and the picture is exactly as I remember him back from my sailing days in the 80′s. He was a remarkable gentleman and certainly a real backbone in the growth of Carnival. Im sure there are many many fond and interesting rememberances of him from employees and co-workers. RIP Sir.

By: Mike C

Mike C — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:49:14 +0000

What a very sad news. He was a very good man. I first met Mr. Zonis when I was a musician on the Tropicale. He was the most supportive and understanding person I have ever met. He was more like a father than a “boss”. I still work on cruise ships and I have yet to meet a top corporate person half as good as Mr. Zonis was. My prayers for his repose soul and for his family.

By: Craig Satterfield

Craig Satterfield — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:38:31 +0000

I remember Mr. Zonis as he was busy making sure the Carnivale, Mardi Gras and Festival were full and ready to sail back in the early 80′s. That was when the Carnival offices were on Biscayne Blvd so close that any of the staff there could get to the pier in just a few minutes. He was an approachable man but all business and I know he was devoted to his job and to make Carnival a success in those early days. It is great that you give tribute of one of the pioneers of cruises as we know it today. Long live the memory of Mike Zonis!

By: Paul Heckmann

Paul Heckmann — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:40:11 +0000

That’s sad. John I wish I had made Panoff’s reunion last year to see him.

As a purser on the ships, Mr. Z would make your life interesting to say the least. If two ships were in port you always had someone with crew papers standing close by before leaving port in case he decided that one ship needed someone more than the other.

Paul