EUGENE (GENE) WILFRED ZABINSKI

Eugene (Gene) Wilfred Zabinski, 86, of Ely died at home on Wednesday, Dec.26, after a lengthy illness.

Gene was born on July 13, 1926, in St. Cloud, Minn., the son of Ignatius and Alvina (Birk) Zabinski.

In 1949, Gene earned a bachelor's at St. John's University (Collegeville, MN) in English, French, and philosophy and, in 1950, a master's in English at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Gene married Loretta Borkowski, a South Bend native, on November 18, 1950. His 40 years in education began in 1950 in Chicago followed by positions in Huron, S.D.; and Hollandale and Abbotsford, Wis.. In 1961, Gene moved to Ely, Minn., to teach 8th grade English and to be a reading consultant. In 1965, he became special education director for Ely, Babbitt, and Tower.

Gene was involved in numerous community volunteer roles. They included president of the Shagawa Lake Property Owners Association, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency lake water quality monitor, Minnesota DNR lake ice condition recorder, chair of the Morris Township Planning & Zoning and Land Use Committees, St. Louis County Water Quality Board, and on the initial Diocese of Duluth Strategic Planning Committee, as well as serving on pastoral councils.

Gene is survived by his wife Loretta and seven children: Ed (Mary Pat) of Grand Rapids, Minn.; Mary of Albuquerque, N.M.; Joe of Hardwick, Vt.; Ann (Dale) of Summit, Wis.; Charles (Deditra) of Bloomington, Minn; Cathy (Remy) of Bozeman, Mont.; and Paul (Bryce) of Annandale, Minn.; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers.

A MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 31, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Ely, preceded by visitation at 9 a.m. Interment will be at the Ely Cemetery. Funeral arrangements have been provided by Kerntz Funeral Home.

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