Michael Zanolli ’84

Mike died Oct. 4, 2022.

He was born in Pittsburgh and grew up in McLean, Va., and Piedmont, Calif., where he attended Piedmont High School and was captain of the football team. At Princeton, Mike continued to play football, majored in architecture, and was a member of Tiger Inn.

Mike then earned a master’s degree in architecture from Columbia. He worked for several years with architectural and urban design firms in New York and Pittsburgh before earning an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Mike returned to New York and became a well-known leader in commercial real estate finance for almost 30 years.

He will be remembered for his endless supply of Hawaiian shirts, quick wit, awful rewrites of song lyrics, and especially for his loyalty and kindness to, and love for, his family and friends.

Mike is survived by his wife, Alice; daughter Corinne; and son Evan. His family is grateful to classmates Pete Askey, David Brodess, John Few, Martin Gates, Brian Hetherington, Steven Heussner, Mike Vatis, and Mike Winter for being pallbearers and to Dave, Steve, and Marty for their heartfelt tributes. The Class of 1984 joins them in mourning the passing of this wonderful soul.