Eugene A. Zick

Industrial Engineer, avid sailor, beloved family man, 88
Eugene A. Zick (Gene), 88, of Little Egg Harbor, NJ, a beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2024, following a brief illness. Gene's legacy is one of love, integrity, and service to others.
Gene was a man of diverse interests and talents, and seemingly boundless energy. An avid sailor, he loved being around the water, whether it was fishing, crabbing or most of all racing in one design boats. He raced from Maine to Florida, and as far west as the Mississippi River, and when racing, he was well-known for ability to "fly a spinnaker." It was through racing that he met his future wife, Jane, initially racing against her at the Raritan Yacht Club, where they were long-time members. Gene was also a master gardener, using the skills he learned from his father, supplemented by organic techniques, to supply his friends and neighbors with delicious Ramapo and Beefsteak tomatoes every summer.
Gene was born in the Perth Amboy General Hospital on September 2, 1935. After graduating from Perth Amboy High School in 1953, he attended Rutgers Preparatory School for a year, during which he excelled at academics as well as on the baseball and basketball teams.
After Rutgers Prep, he went to college at night, and obtained both a bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering and a Master's degree in Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University, where the topic of his 1969 Master's thesis was an examination of the then-emerging methods of containerized shipping for cargo, titled "An Investigation of the Containerization of Copper Shapes."
A man of strong principles and values, Gene served his country in the National Guard, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant and serving as a tank commander.
Gene worked for nearly 40 years for different iterations of the Anaconda Copper Company, holding management positions that took him from Perth Amboy to Waterbury, Connecticut, then to Detroit, Michigan, and finally Russellville, Kentucky, working with copper, brass, and aluminum along the way.
Following his retirement from Anaconda, Gene honed his golf game and also ran successfully for positions as City Councilor and later Mayor of Russellville, Kentucky. As Mayor, Gene used his engineering and management skills to improve his town's infrastructure and bring soccer, baseball, softball, and swimming facilities to its residents.
Once fully retired, Gene and Jane moved back to New Jersey, settling in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, to be nearer to family and Barnegat Bay. They became active members of the Cranberry Creek community and Holy Spirit Episcopal Church. And every year, Gene would anxiously await the coming of spring, so he could get his boat, Jersey Girl, back in the water, and once again go fishing, crabbing, and cruising around the bay.
In recent years, Gene and Penny Hughes spent many happy hours together. They enjoyed frequent trips to Long Beach Island, and also traveled all across the United States, from Alaska to Key West, toured France, and cruised the Danube and the Greek Islands.
Gene leaves friends and colleagues at all his many stops, but he will rest in peace secure in the knowledge that he did his best for his wife, his family and friends, and made valuable contributions to the communities in which he lived and to their people.
Gene was predeceased by his loving parents, Emily May (nee) Clark and Stephen (Steve) Joseph Zick, Sr. Gene is also predeceased by his loving wife and friend of 56 years, Jane Turner Horley Zick.
Gene and Jane are survived by their two sons: Colin Jay Zick, of Boston, Massachusetts, and Kyle Sean Zick, of Roslindale, Massachusetts. Gene is also survived by Colin's wife, Jean (nee) Demmer and their two children, Andrew and Brian, Andrew's spouse, Levin Kim, and Kyle's wife, Jill (nee) Ochs and their children, Cole and Jenna.
Gene is also survived by his dear companion, Penelope ("Penny") Hughes, of Little Egg Harbor, his sister Janet Batari and his brother, Stephen J. Zick. Jr., and his sister in-law, Barbara (B.J.) Horley of Cumberland, Rhode Island, and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, May 17, from 1pm to 5pm at the Maxwell Funeral Home, 160 Mathistown Road, Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey. A funeral service is planned for 11am on Saturday, May 18 at St. Peter's Church, 188 Rector Street, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, immediately followed by a reception at the Barge Restaurant, 201 Front Street, Perth Amboy, New Jersey.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to:
Memorial Sloan Kettering, in support of lung cancer research and treatment https://secure2.convio.net/mskcc/site/Donation2?19135.donation=form1&df_id=19135&mfc_pref=T
St. Jude Medical Foundation, in support of heart disease research and treatment https://www.myocarditisfoundation.org/cr3ativsponsor/st-jude-medical-foundation/
Greater Tuckerton Food Pantry https://tuckertonborough.com/services/tuckerton-food-pantry
Condolences may be sent to the family via the Maxwell Funeral Homes website, https://www.maxwellfuneralhome.com/obituaries/eugene-zick