Service Details
Per Gene’s wishes and instructions, there will not be a formal service held. Instead it has been requested to honor Gene by volunteering your time and or money to a local community based organization of your choice. The following are some that he felt strongly about: Racine Kid’s First, YMCA Leadership Academy, Racine Community Foundation and the United Way of Racine County.
Memorial Suggestions
Racine Kid’s First, YMCA Leadership Academy, Racine Community Foundation and the United Way of Racine County.
RACINE – Gene J. Szymczak, 67, passed away peacefully at his residence on Saturday evening, December 3, 2016.
He was born in Racine on June 2, 1949, the son of the late Eugene and Helen (nee: Puchinsky) Szymczak. Gene graduated from St. Catherine’s High School and UW-Madison. He spent his entire professional career with Educators Credit Union, serving as president and CEO since 1994.
Gene was a kind, loving, generous person with an infectious smile. He will be dearly missed by everyone that knew and loved him.
He is survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Dr. James and Nancy Szymczak of Brookfield, Tom and Joan Szymczak of Franksville; his nephews and nieces, James (Shelly) Szymczak of Bartlet, IL, Andrew (April) Szymczak of Brookfield, Curtis Szymczak of Franksville, Ethan Szymczak of Pensacola, FL, Evelyn (Alex Hintz) Szymczak of Franksville; his close friend, Ricardo and his canine companion, Oliver.
Per Gene’s wishes and instructions, there will not be a formal service held. Instead it has been requested to honor Gene by volunteering your time and or money to a local community based organization of your choice. The following are some that he felt strongly about: Racine Kid’s First, YMCA Leadership Academy, Racine Community Foundation and the United Way of Racine County.
Anonymous says
We are so sorry for your loss. We had the pleasure of getting to know Eugene over the years and knew him to be a very kind and gentle man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Tom and Peggy Czerniak says
Gene gave me my first loan and I have been with educators ever since. With a 4 digit account you can tell it has been many years. Always smiling ever friendly I watched him move up to the top. He will be deeply missed.
Donald Hawes says
I knew Gene as the happy, friendly man that I met in Spin class. Sometimes we would share a few laughs after class in the locker room. Other times I met him out for a walk on the bike trail. He always had something pleasant and positive to say. I sensed that he was a really nice person.
I extend my sincere condolences to you and your family.
Stan Sutherland says
I got to know Gene in the mid-1980’s when I had my sailboat in Racine. We went sailing together on several occasions. Gene was a thoughtful, pleasant, and warm person with a big heart and a great concern for others. I am sorry to hear of his passing.
Jane Mancuso Stein family says
We lost a warm compassionate man with Gene’s passing. Our prayers go out to Jim and Nancy, Tom and Joan and their families.
With prayers and love ,
Judy Gavigan says
Gene leaves behind so much more than can possibly be written in words. Thank you Gene for your generous and kind heart that you so shared with many. You will be missed on earth but I know we’ll all see that smiling face again in heaven where truly you must be an angel.
The Crawford Family says
My husband and I have been long time member of Educators Credit Union. Our condolences to the family.
Barbara Pavlik Riegelman says
You will truly be missed by your family, friends & the community. You showed compassion in all you did & with all who knew you. Thanks for all that you have given us. May you Rest In Peace.
Paul & Jen B. says
Whether big or small Gene made an impact on everyone he met. He made it a point to remember everyone’s name and he remembered something about that person. Gene was extremely generous, kind and genuinely loved people. He cared about the needs of others before himself. It’s an honor to have worked for someone like Gene. He will be missed greatly!
Kerri Milaeger M&M office Interiors says
Gene was a wonderful man. Kind hearted, sweet, caring and always full of laughter. I always gave him a hug when I saw him and I am sure going to miss him. I cant say enough nice things about him. He will truly be missed. So very sad.
Mary says
I was just merely acquainted with Mr. Szymczak from brief encounters at ECU over the years. He was always so friendly, and treated you as if you were special. Furthermore, he always appeared SO happy, like he absolutely loved life! I cried when I read about his passing, and I find it difficult ( unfortunately for me) to express my sadness with tears. Enjoy heaven, Mr. Szymczak.
Karen Bayer Greer says
Just like Gene… even in death, he points to others! Thank you Gene for your kindness and amazing generosity. You were an authentic “Servant Leader”. May your spirit live on through all who knew you. Rest In Peace my friend.
Cindy and Mark Hertzberg says
Racine has lost a wonderful man.
Maggie Gruenwald says
Such a nice man! I’ll never forget his kind words when I lost my husband. RIP!
Patricia Jensen says
What a wonderful man. I am so sorry for you loss. Sending prayers
Maria M. Echevarria says
I am deeply sadden by the passing of Gene. I will miss his smile, his kindness, and thoughtfulness. He made the credit union a place where members could trust and depend upon. Gene will forever be loved and dearly missed by the members of the Educators Credit Union. My prayers are for his loved ones in this most difficult time. Adios, amigo.
Raymond &Joan Rorek says
From my family to his we are sorry to read of his passing. We know Gene every since he started to work for ECU and it is like losing a good friend who I could joke around with about things at the credit union. He will be missed.
Raymond &Joan Rorek says
We are sorry to read of Gene’s passing ,as we have known him from the day he started at ECU. He was a great person and will be missed.
Anonymous says
I’ll never forget you Gene, you have been an inspiration at work and in life. Thanks for bringing so much into people’s life. RIP.
Marco
Debbie says
Gene was a great man. I worked for him and always enjoyed watching him interact with the members.
There was never a dull moment when Gene was around.
I miss him.
Wally Rendon & Family says
For a lot of us that had the privilege to have worked in the same building with Gene, whether at the Newman Branch or now our offices on Willow Road, we will miss Gene’s smile when he greeted you, he always had time for you, but most of all we will miss his sense of humor.
He really loved his community, his willingness to give back to our community was evident in the many quality of life projects he supported.
Thanks Gene for having allowed me to have shared a part of your life as a friend and as an employee…you will most certainly be missed, but your legacy will continue as long as ECU is around…adios my friend.
John Willett says
Every week for 20+ years I would enter the Newman rd location and look to the right to see if Gene was sitting in his office, I will continue looking and seeing him there and once again wave on my way out. Rest in Peace my friend.
Jon and Jeannie Wallenkamp says
Gene
What a great guy with a big heart! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Never stop smiling.
Lori Trevino says
Dear Gene,
Your Inspiration and Guiding Light will never be forgotten. You always said “Do the right thing” and that stays with me everyday. Have fun talking to your parents and those who you are joining from Educators Credit Union. Peace to you.
Pauline G. Mitchell says
The loss of Gene from our midst is profound. It was always a pleasure for me to stop in at Gene’s Educators Credit Union office for a chat on topics of mutual interests or to request his support for numerous community projects. He delighted in helping worthy causes whenever he could. Each encounter was prefaced with a firm handshake, a broad smile, and a hug if he sensed you needed a lift in spirit. He brought such dedication, genuine care, and joy to the ECU family.
I will always treasure the memories of many ECU events my husband and I attended with Gene as a gracious host. He built a legacy that will endure.
Rest in Peace, Gene.
Anonymous says
I just learned of the passing of dear Gene and my heart is sad to know I lost another of my classmates from St. Catherine’s Class of 1967. While I did not know Gene that well, his gentle spirit and unselfishness to the community of Racine is a tribute to the person who lived life well.
God Bless you, Gene and my deepest sympathy to your family.
Linda Laudonio says
I just learned of the passing of dear Gene. It saddens me to know another of my classmates from St. Catherine’s Class of 1967 has left us for a better place.
While I didn’t know Gene well, he certainly had a wonderful reputation in Racine as a businessman and generous supporter of many organizations. He lived a good life and will always be remembered.
My deepest sympathy to Gene’s family and friends.
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