Ryan Andrew Ziemba

Ryan Andrew Ziemba, also known as RAZ or just Ziemba, passed away on Friday October 3, 2025. Ryan leaves behind his cherished wife Lindsay (Hughes) Ziemba and his devoted parents, Walter and Kathy Ziemba. Ryan was born in Meriden, CT on November 11, 1980, to Walter and Kathleen (Curneal) Ziemba. He grew up in Meriden graduating from both parochial and public schools and was a parishioner of St. Stanislaus Church. Ryan's love for learning, education, and books was ever present even at a young age, as he went on to earn various degrees, including a B.A. in Political Science from Trinity College in Hartford, scholarly achievement in music business from Berklee College of Music in Boston where he played the trumpet and started his own artist management company, Take Care Entertainment, as well as an M.B.A. from the prestigious Columbia University in the City of New York. Ryan would describe himself as a music industry optimist. He embodied the true spirit, drive, and tenacity of an entrepreneur, and was the visionary founder and CEO of his beloved Cuttime, Inc, a unique business venture that started with a plan written on sticky notes and remained his life's work and passion. His deep love for fishing and music was a defining part of his spirit – sincere, enduring, and unmistakable. Ryan embraced every opportunity to fish, always determined and curious, learning new knots and experimenting with new lures in the great pursuit of the next catch. His unwavering hope was persistent, despite it often being a "dog day for fishin." His heart was equally drawn to music; it was a source of positivity and comfort amid the noise of life. The gritty style of 90's grunge and alt rock clearly a favorite, with radio 104.1 at the ready. But no matter the decade or genre, he would not just hear the notes but genuinely feel their profound impact. The music spoke to him and served as a direct connection to his soul. He would describe a goosebumps reaction to a song meant it was a good one, and you bet you're a$* the volume was cranked up! Simply put, "music expresses that which cannot be put into words." He brought the Mandolin (not a ukelele!) to life with his touch, with many sounds of blue grass tunes, and often with his Dad accompanying him on the accordion. Through the years, this was a common sight at the infamous Ziemba Christmas parties. Ryan was a history aficionado and fascinated by Viking history and Nordic lore, countless books, documentaries, and even visiting Scandinavia and Iceland. He equally loved his heritage, with a profound admiration for Poland and Ireland. He was a poet in his own right, and lover of words with nothing less than an exceptional vernacular. Some of his literary favorites included William F. Buckley, Oscar Wilde, and Friedrich Nietzsche. Ryan and his family made many special memories with their annual summer trips to Cape Cod and winters in Vermont. He was an avid skier, skiing filled him with a sense of freedom and sovereignty. Combining his passions, he started the first ever concert music series at Okemo Mountain. We will dearly miss this one-of-a-kind shining star, bright, funny, and ready to make you laugh. He was sincere, selfless, compassionate, and creative. He later became an advocate for mental health and neurodiversity in entrepreneurship. In addition to his wife Lindsay, and his parents, he leaves behind many devoted aunts and cousins, and his best companion, who spent days by his side, often making loud appearances on work conference calls, the biggest big dog, Rollo. He was pre-deceased by his aunts Charlene Curneal Carothers, Jean Ziemba Shibetta; his uncles Michael Figuernick, Robert Ross and his cousin Lee Baigert. We celebrate this beautiful life taken too soon, and raise our hearts and our glasses, with one of his favorites, a shot and a beer, or a sazerac (just please don't dump the rinse). Cheers to you, Z, on your next adventure, we know you'll accomplish everything you set out to do and then some, and we're all here supporting and sharing our endless love for you. Shine bright, sunshine. Sto lat, sto lat, niech zyje zyje nam! Family and friends are invited to celebrate his life on Thursday, October 9, 2025, from 10am to 12pm at the John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home, 88 East Main St, Meriden, CT 06450. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 12:30 at St. Stanislaus Church, 82 Akron St, Meriden, CT 06450. Burial will be private. A scholarship fund was created to honor Ryan Ziemba and support children who share his love of music and education. Please consider donating to this great cause here. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ryan, please visit our floral store.