Charles E. Zapolski

Charles E. “Zap” Zapolski, age 81, of Saugus, passed away peacefully at his home on March 5, 2026. He shared 58 loving years of marriage with his wife Kathy S. (Johnston) Zapolski, who predeceased him on February 22, 2024.

Born on September 14, 1944, to Casimir and Stella (Siaglo) Zapolski, Charlie grew up on River Street in Lynn, Massachusetts. He graduated from Lynn Classical High School in 1962 and completed the General Electric Apprentice Program in 1967. He retired from GE in 2011 after a long career as a tool and die maker, celebrated by his coworkers with the traditional “hammer bang out” sendoff.

An accomplished amateur photographer, Charlie documented countless moments in the lives of family and friends. He shared his images widely on social media, where more than 4,500 followers enjoyed his photographs of extended family gatherings, local birds and nature, vacations with Kathy to Cape Cod and Florida, dining experiences, vintage cars, dramatic weather events including the Blizzard of 1978, and the Saugus community—especially its Veterans, Memorial, and Founders Day ceremonies. He also found great pleasure in running and biking, spending time with friends at the Fox Hill Yacht Club and the Saugus VFW, and relaxing in his favorite chair to watch the Red Sox, the Patriots, or Twilight Zone marathons, often with a glass of Carlo Rossi Burgundy in a red Solo cup.

Charlie is survived by his three sons, Michael Zapolski and his partner Marcy Siegal of Wakefield, Jon Zapolski and his wife Kimberly of Franklin, and Kevin Zapolski and his wife Insuk of Beverly; his grandchildren Susan and her husband Stephen, Ryan and his wife Sara, Sean, Samuel, and Elijah; and his great-grandchildren Delilah, Dyllan, and Dakota. He also leaves behind his nieces Cindy Tyler and Kristin Harris, his nephew Brian Tyler, and many cousins. He was predeceased by his sister Nina (Zapolski) Tyler and his brother Joseph Zapolski.