Stating a loss...

And no, I am not referring to a balance sheet!

When referring to someone who is deceased, an Israeli will often add the expression “zal” (short for “zichrono/zichrona livracha” or literally translated, “may his/her memory be a blessing” or put another way - “of blessed memory”). This is used both in written and spoken Hebrew. It may also appear written in English as z”l, mimicking the Hebrew language abbreviation. 

However, in English one would generally use the term “the late” – as in the late Professor Smith, the late Dr. Brown, the late, great Elvis Presley, etc. It is always preferable to use this accepted term in both business and social communication, rather than assuming that other, perhaps more familiar terms, are globally accepted.