Eugene “Gene” Zahnke, 86, of Bristol, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. Gene was born on Nov. 28, 1935 in Bristol. Gene was born and raised in Bristol and lived in Bristol all of his life. He was the son of the late Edward & Mary (Brauer) Zahnke. Gene was a math teacher at Bristol Central High School for 35 years, and was head of the math department for many of those years. He was very active in his church, Immanuel Lutheran, as well as the Bristol community.
Gene was predeceased by his brother Larry Zahnke, his sister Gloria Herold, and his parents Mary & Edward Zahnke. He is survived by the love of his life, Beverly (Sonstroem), his wife of 64 years. He is also survived by his daughter Dawn Parker, of Bristol, his son Wes (Kerry) of Raleigh, NC, and his daughter Gayle Levine (Rob), of West Hartford. He leaves behind six grandchildren, and two great-grand-children, whom he doted on and cherished; Daniel Parker (Kelsey), Matthew Parker, Jack, Cameron and Kate Levine, Katarina Zahnke and great-grandchildren, Paislee, and Oaklee Parker.
Gene was a great athlete growing up and had many accolades athletically, playing baseball, basketball and soccer. He starred on Bristol’s American Legion baseball teams and garnered the nickname “Hammering Hank” for knocking many homeruns out of Muzzy Field. He grew up in Bristol’s West End and ran around with a gaggle of his athletic friends playing sports non-stop. He attended Immanuel Lutheran from K-8, and graduated from Bristol High School in 1953.
He originally attended Lehigh University and had a summer internship at General Motors in Detroit, MI in the summer of 1954. He graduated from Springfield College in 1958 and earned a Masters Degree from Central Connecticut State University, and a 6th Year Degree from Wesleyan University. Gene began teaching at Bristol High School, then Bristol Central where he successfully coached many sports teams including Boys Basketball, Baseball, Soccer and Golf.
Dad loved fishing, alpine skiing, and spending time at the family cottage on Lake Congamond. He also was a longtime member of the Jacklin Rod & Gun Club, where he fished and socialized, and attended many Pig Roasts and Sheep Bakes. He hosted many math department parties at Congamond, and developed many long term friendships with his fellow teachers.
As an avid lover of many sports, Gene was passionate about instilling the love of sports to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a ski instructor at Mt. Southington for many years, and began the Ski Club at BCHS, and led many memorable ski trips over many years with his purple Head Skis, Banana Yellow Nordica Boots and his Orange ski jacket.
He loved playing tennis, racquetball and cross country skiing. Gene never missed a Red Sox game, and waited until the season was over to enter Heaven. He also loved UCONN Women’s basketball and the Dallas Cowboys, and New York Giants. For all that Dad achieved on the athletic fields and elsewhere, he never lost sight of the most important thing to him and the Zahnke family, which was his faith in the Lord God. He was very active at Immanuel Lutheran Church, singing in the choir, becoming a Deacon and heading up many projects and activities with passion and zest.
The visiting hours will be Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Avenue, Bristol, who has the honor of serving Gene’s family. Family and friends are invited to go directly to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 154 Meadow St., Bristol, on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022, with Rev. Kevin Karner officiating the service at 11 a.m. Burial immediately following in West Cemetery, Bristol. To leave an online condolence, or to view a remembrance video, go to Gene’s memorial page at www.FunkFuneralHome.com .
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