Francis “Zeke” Zygmuntowicz, 78, of Miami, Florida, passed away peacefully at home in Miami on Friday, February 28, 2014. A New York native, Zeke graduated from St. Anthony of Padua Preparatory and Minor Seminary School where he was an outstanding athlete who played varsity sports. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. His 20 year military career included tours of duty in Europe and Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroic service. During his military service he attended Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana receiving a degree in criminology, George Washington University in Washington, D.C. receiving a degree as a linguist and completed his education with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Tampa where he graduated the “first” summa cum laude in the University’s 40 year history. After retiring as a Special Agent with the Office of Special Investigation with the U.S. Air Force, Zeke retired from a second career with the State of Florida’s Division of Public Fraud as an Area Supervisor. A man of faith, he always faced life’s challenges with dignity. He loved his family near and far and taught us to live life to the fullest. He once wrote, “I’m too far along in this life to ask for anything personal, so I only ask God to look after my children and grandchildren, and he has done so and I’m sure he will continue to”. Zeke will be laid to rest with Military Honors on Monday, March 24, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at Woodland Cemetery on Highway 84, Jena, Louisiana, under the direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena. He is predeceased by his parents John and Helen Zygmuntowicz, and sisters Margaret Dozier and Betty Zygmuntowicz. Survivors include his loving wife of 55 years, Natalie Zygmuntowicz, the former Natalie Breithaupt of the Old River Community in LaSalle Parish; and his children, Beth Zygmuntowicz, Susan Huff, Kathy Shoenfelt and husband Robert, and John Zygmuntowicz and wife Carolina. Zeke adored his grandchildren Nastassja, Yanek, Saskja, Kasia and Mila. The family requests memorial donations made in Zeke’s memory be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or online at www. woundedwarriorproject.org
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