Schuyler Lake - Mr. Charles T. Zuis, known as Chazoo the Magician, passed away on May 16, 2011 at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Utica. Zuis was a native of Herkimer but had lived in Schuyler Lake since 1988. He was a citizen of the world having lived in Baltimore, MD, Wilkes-Barre, PA, Pasadena, CA, Rome, NY, Alexandria, VA and other communities in the Washington DC area. He attended St. Francis De Sales grade school and Herkimer High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1949 and served for almost four years as a lithographer. He also spent another four years in the Naval Reserves and received Honorable Discharges from both stints in the service. During his tenure in the Navy, he was assigned as an instructor in lithography in the Defense Department of the Pentagon and he was head of the Printing Department aboard the USS Cadmus, a repair ship that cruised the east coast of the United States during the Korean War. He also served as an instructor for one year in the Naval Reserves. He graduated from Utica College of Syracuse University with a Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations in 1960 and also received a Master's Degree in Social Work from Catholic University in 1964, majoring in Community Organization. During his life, Zuis emersed himself in multiple occupations. He was a Fuller Brush Salesman, a printer for the Herkimer Evening Telegram, and he was employed with the US Navy and Canterbury Printing Company of Rome. He was also at one time the Advertising Manager for Mohawk Publishing Company in Rome, which published the Griffiss Airforce Base weekly newspaper, Wave Guide and he was the Associate Director of the Rome Chamber of Commerce. He owned a Real Estate Brokerage Company in Baltimore, MD and in Alexandria, VA. He sold insurance, representing at different times, the Prudential Insurance Company of Norfolk, VA, Mutual of Omaha, in VA, and Leatherstocking Insurance Agency in NY. His primary occupation was Community Organization and Fundraising. He was the executive director of a number of united funds and social planning counsels throughout the country. They included the Maryland Division of the National Capital Area United Fund from 1960 to 1964, The Rome New York United Fund, 1964 to 1967, The Pasadena California United Fund and Community Chest, 1967 to 1971, Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania United Fund 1971-1976, and the Alexandria, VA United Fund, 1975-1978. From 1978 to the present time he was a fundraising consultant, raising money for dozens of non-profit religious, charitable and educational organizations. Though he was an independent contractor, he worked primarily with the guidance of Giving, Inc. Fundraising Company based in the greater NYC area. He raised money primarily for Roman Catholic Churches and Diocese. Throughout his career, he worked in 26 different states and in the course of his travels he visited every state in the union except Alaska. Zuis loved to travel and enjoyed a number of cruises to the Caribbean and once to the Hawaiian Islands. He traveled to Europe three different times, twice to visit his parents' homeland in Poland and Lithuania. In Lithuania, he and his sister Frances visited with some three dozen relatives. They traveled throughout the two countries, plus Germany, Austria, England and other countries. His nephew Edmund Zuis and wife, Kathy accompanied them on one trip as they visited relatives in Lithuania. Zuis was known as Chazoo the Magician and Clown. Throughout his life, he enjoyed magic which he considered his first love. He belonged to the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Don Connelly Ring Number 101 in Utica. He also was the past president of magic clubs in Wilkes-Barre, PA and two clubs in Washington DC. He was a member of the Academy of Magical Arts, housed in Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA. Zuis worked as a part-time professional magician for over thirty years, presenting a variety of magic shows for people of all ages. He was known for his magical performances for children at birthday parties, Christmas parties and other events throughout the Mohawk Valley from Schuyler Lake to Rome, to Wilkes-Barre, PA and the Baltimore, Washington area. He also worked as a clown and Advance Man for the Billie Martin Circus in New York State. He and his boyhood pal and partner, Willie, The Clown, Purdell also of Herkimer, who passed away on May 16, 2002, formed a Hall of Fame and Museum of Famous Unknown Magicians located at the site of the Herkimer Farm in Schuyler Lake. Its primary purpose is to recognize magicians who were outstanding performers, contributing much to their communities in the form of magic, clowning and entertainment. The Museum and Hall of Fame will be continued under the auspices of the Magic Kings, an organization that oversees the Hall of Fame. Among his activities was Polish Polka Dancing. He belonged to the United Polka League of the Mohawk Valley, Fritz's Polka Band Fan Club, The Herkimer and Rome Polish Homes and the Kopernik Memorial Association of Central New York. He is a longtime member of the American Legion of Richfield Springs and a lifetime member of the VFW. Throughout his career, he served as a volunteer for many community organizations, including the Rotary Club, Parent Teacher Associations, Chamber of Commerce, United Funds, American Legion, Magic Clubs, Exeter Historical Society, etc. He was a public speaker and writer on subjects such as volunteerism, magic, fundraising, and community organization. Zuis leaves two daughters and sons in law, Pamela and Mark Mrozinski of Orlando, FL and Margaret and John Bonilla of Kissimmee, FL; his four beloved grandchildren, Nicholas and Andrew John Mrozinski and David and Sarah Ayscue; his sister, Frances Zuis of Herkimer; his sister in law, Irene of Ilion; his long time friend and companion, Ms. Gladys Cripe of Marcy and several nieces and nephews. Charles was predeceased by two brothers, Edmund Zuis and John Zuis. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday at 9:30AM from Sts. Anthony and Joseph's Church on South Main St. in Herkimer with the Rev. Thomas Lawless, officiating. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Herkimer. A broken wand ceremony will be held at his grave. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Petykiewicz, Iocovozzi & Burns Funeral Home, 329 S. Washington St., Herkimer. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Knights of Columbus of the Mohawk Valley, 74 West St., Ilion, NY 13357 for the benefit of Children in Need. The Polish Community Home of Herkimer, 319 S. Washington St., Herkimer, NY 13350, The Polish Community Club of Utica, 810 Columbia St., Utica, NY 13502 or to The Polish Home, Inc., 415 South George St., Rome, NY 13440. Expressions of sympathy may be placed on Zuis' online memorial page by going to www.iocovozzifuneralhomes.com