It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we share the news that Brad Eric Zalanka passed away peacefully at his home on August 26, 2026, after bravely facing numerous health challenges over the course of several years.

He was born July 27,1953 in Miami, Florida to Eleanor May Landry Zalanka and Earle Joseph Zalanka Jr. He graduated from Hialeah High School.

He leaves behind his sister, Starr Zalanka; brother, Craig Zalanka; daughters: Christina Arrieta (husband Jason), Jennifer Zalanka-Rohde (husband Justin), and Stephanie Barker (husband Jason); grandchildren: Alannah, Jackson, Kaiden, and Madilyn Arrieta; Dominic and Josilyn Barker; and Bradley Rohde.

Brad was married to the late Glenda Wakefield. The couple married on February 25, 2021, and enjoyed their retirement years together in Satellite Beach, Florida. They shared a love of travel and created many cherished memories while camping and exploring destinations throughout the United States.

Brad leaves a lasting legacy of love, friendship, and support. To meet Brad was to find a friend. He believed in treating everyone with unconditional kindness and respect and was always willing to offer a helping hand or a listening ear. He readily shared his smile with anyone who needed a little goodness in their day.

Brad believed in working hard, looking for the good in life, and being truly grateful for its blessings. Those who knew his story also knew of the trials he faced and the triumphs he experienced. He battled addiction and inner struggles, but he rose from those battles to become, as he would say, “a better version of himself.”

Brad was proud of overcoming his addictions, proud of the work he did through AA, and proud of the person he became because of all he had endured. Having experienced the struggle of addiction and the strength it took to overcome it, Brad shared his story with others to offer hope and show that anyone can grow, change, and accomplish their goals.

Although his passing has left us utterly heartbroken, we take comfort in knowing that Brad is now in the place that he knew awaited him—a place filled with overwhelming love, happiness, and peace. His faith was strong, and he believed that when the day came for him to leave this earth, something better would be there to welcome him.

Brad did not speak of death with sadness or fear, and he would not want others to be sad for him. He would want us to know that he is no longer in pain, that he has been reunited with his loved ones, and that he is finally home, in the place he always believed was waiting for him.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to a cause that was meaningful to Brad, or that a tree be planted in his memory.

A service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 26, 2026, at New Hope Group in Crest Plaza (across from MI High School): 1135 N. Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, FL 32953.

Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a story is asked to visit the memorial page at www.millenniumcremationservice.com.