the resort was large so i rented them both scooters

I loved Gene.  He was always very good to me.  Treated me just like a daughter during the time I spent in Lansdale during 2006-2007.  I went to work for him after several years in Australia.  Coming back to the States was complicated, but Gene made the transition easy for us.  He was so thoughtful.  When Tony and I arrived, he had already found an apartment for us at Lansdale.  It was bright and spacious, and in a beautiful neighborhood.  He and Sylvia would come and pick us up for dinner in his enormous Lincoln Continental.  He would laugh when we teased him, saying we’d decided to forego home ownership – instead we’d buy a Lincoln and live in it.   He also laughed when he could be with his friends on the golf course.  He was invariably social, and seemed to know everyone of note in Pennsylvania’s insurance circles. 

Gene paid attention to my education, taking me to places such as Harrisburg so that I could see an MCare meeting of PA insurers in action.  He was the Township Commissioner and took me to the meetings where he answered questions and fielded complaints.   And there were lots of baseball games seen from his Sky Box, to which he would invite Pennsylvania’s political elite.  Tony and I also had many vacations with Gene and his family.   They would not only invite us, but also many other family members and friends.  Without fail, they were the best fun imaginable. 

Life with Gene was one of privilege and excitement.  However, he told me his life had not always been so.  He spoke of his father’s life, of his first car, of working in many places in Pennsylvania, and of his early intention to marry Sylvia, the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen.  Gene had many obstacles to overcome to realize the life he wanted.  That he succeeded, while remaining a grounded, compassionate and generous person, one who commanded the respect of all who knew him, speaks to the noble standards by which he lived.  We were proud to know him and we will never forget him. 

The Ziemba family are in our thoughts and prayers.  

Jasmine Sommer, April 20, 2016.

I'm not sure if most people know but my father loved, cars, motorcycles and boats! Basically anything with a motor !!

My father could drive anything from a fork lift to a Caddilac and let's not forget he would jump on a horse when I asked him to go horse back riding.

Anytime you would say hey Dad you want to go and test drive a car, he always went!! He preferred American cars, of course but would put all of them through their paces that we test drove!

Santa ( aka Dad) bought me a go-cart when I was 3 1/2. That summer he put blocks on the peddles so I could reach the gas. He taught me how to ride a motorcycle when I was 10! I also, like my father, have  a love for things with engines!

 
( trivia: I had my Dad count how many cars he had through the years and it was around 36)

 

I will Miss You Everyday!

Love Meredith 

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our father,

grandfather, and husband, Eugene P. Ziemba Sr. of Upper Gwynedd Township and Harveys Lake on April 13, 2016 after his three week battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born in Nanticoke, Pa. December 21, 1936, to Cecelia Banko Ziemba and John Ziemba. His humble beginnings started in Wanamie, Pa. and ended with his multi-million dollar company ( PIPE) in Lansdale, Pa. Gene graduated from Newport High School in 1954. After graduation, Gene proudly enlisted in the United States Army. He did his Basic Training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and MP Training in Augusta, Georgia. He was stationed in Zweibrucken, Germany, in a security company and also stationed in Karlsruhe, Germany, with the Special and Military Police . Following an honorable discharge in 1957, Gene used the GI Bill to attend King’s College. He graduated in 1961 with a B.S. in Business Administration. Gene was a self-made man. He started his employment career at Montgomery Ward as a packing and billing supervisor. He then worked for Lederle Laboratories as a drug salesman, before moving to Medical Protective from 1968 to 1993 as a general agent. In 1993 he became Regional Vice President for Pa. for PIE of Cleveland. Gene’s greatest career accomplishment was the formation of his “baby,” Physicians Insurance Program Exchange (PIPE) on August 24, 2005, of which he was CEO/President until his retirement in November, 2015. He grew the company into a multi- million dollar enterprise.

Preceding him in death are his parents and his brother- in- law, John Angelini.

Surviving are his wife and confidant of 53 years, Sylvia Sulewski Ziemba, his son Eugene P. Ziemba Jr. and his wife Jennifer of Dallas, Pa, his daughter and “Gal Friday“ Meredith Ziemba of Lower Gwynedd, Pa., and his two grandchildren, Madison Quinn Ziemba and Eugene (Jack) P. Ziemba III, who lovingly refer to him as “Bebop.” Gene is also survived by his sister Phyllis Angelini of Alexandria, Virginia, her sons Michael and Christopher, as well as numerous other nieces and nephews.

Gene was always interested in the betterment of his community. He served as Upper Gwynedd Township Commissioner from 1990 until his passing, and also as Commissioner Vice President from 2006 until his death. He served in the capacity of Police and Fire Commissioner.

Viewing will be held Friday, April 22, from 5 to 8 pm at Huff and Lakjer Funeral Home, 701 Derstine Ave., Lansdale, Pa. 19446. Also Saturday, April 23, from 9 to 10:15 am at the funeral home, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 51 Lansdale Ave., Lansdale, Pa. 19446.

Family is requesting any monetary donations be sent to King’s College to establish a memorial scholarship in Eugene’s name. Checks can be made payable to King’s College (Attention: Kim Cardone), 133 N. River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711.

I remember when I was 4 or 5 years old, I was playing in the sandbox out the lake. As I walked back to the house, I stopped dead in my tracks when I spotted a snake in the rocks below the stairs. I started to scream and Aunt Slyvia, Big Gene, my mom and others came running. Without any hesitation, Big Gene found a pitchfork and flung the snake 100 feet into the woods. As Aunt Sylvia held me and Aunt Arlene yelled at Big Gene for his cruelty towards the snake, all I could think in that moment was that Big Gene was my new hero. 

The summer of my sophomore year of college, I lived with Big Gene and Aunt Sylvia in Philly. Big Gene and I shared a love for Red Lobster and would visit frequently. I also remember once driving back from the lake on a Sunday. We took the back roads so we could pick up some fresh corn from one of the roadside stands. Not kidding, we stopped at 6 different corn stands to sample the various local corn. Big Gene never settled for less than the best.

We are going to miss you. I love you.

Gene needed this disposer moved .. But, I wonder if he wanted it moved just to give me work.. Thats what Gene always did for Me. 
As Gene requested for me to move the garbage disposer to the other sink. Sylvia was going to the Doctor and I said Hold It. I snapped this picture on on March 29, 2016. This will always be my favorite picture of Sylvia and Gene together.

When I was 11 or 12 I got hooked on golf and often I would go with my Dad and Big Gene in the summers to Jean's Run but sometimes my Dad would be In NJ so I would go with just Big Gene.  The first time I went it was summer and it was very hot and I drank 2 cans of coke by the time we got to the first tee.  When I tried to get another he told me in the stern voice  "if you drink anymore coke your going to get diabetes" so for the rest of that summer I boycotted coke...but hey no diabetes so I got that goone by for me which is nice ::knock on wood::  

Years ago when we were both younger and I wore 3 inch heels to the township meetings, Gene would kid me about them.  At one public meeting, I had kicked my shoes off.  He proceeded to grab one and place it up on the dias for all to see.  We had a good laugh over that.  I will miss his playful ribbing.