Greg Zanis facts for kids
Greg Zanis (born November 27, 1950 – died May 4, 2020) was an American carpenter. He became well-known for building and delivering special crosses to places where tragic shootings happened across the United States. He also made some Stars of David and crescents for victims of other faiths.
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Who Was Greg Zanis?
Greg Zanis was a kind man who used his carpentry skills to help people. He created memorials for victims of violence and disasters. His work brought comfort to many families during very sad times.
His Early Life
Greg Zanis was born in Spokane, Washington. He grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. His father was a Greek Orthodox priest. His mother was a Greek immigrant who worked as a seamstress. The family spoke Greek at home.
The "Crosses for Losses" Project
Greg Zanis lived in Aurora, Illinois. The first cross he ever built was for his own father-in-law, who had been murdered. This personal tragedy inspired him to help others.
After the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, Zanis built 15 crosses. Thirteen were for the victims. Two were for the people who caused the tragedy. He took them to a park near the school. The two crosses for the perpetrators were later removed by a victim's father.
Since that time, Zanis built and delivered over 26,000 crosses. He also made Stars of David and crescents. He took them to sites of mass shootings and natural disasters. These memorials were placed all over the United States. He later started an organization called "Crosses for Losses." This group helped raise money for his important work. He carefully kept handwritten notes of all the victims' names.
His Later Life and Legacy
In late 2019, Greg Zanis was diagnosed with bladder cancer. He wanted his work to continue. So, he arranged for the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod to take over his organization. He died in Naperville, Illinois, on May 4, 2020. He was 69 years old. Greg Zanis left behind a legacy of comfort and remembrance for countless families.
