ATKINSON, N.H. — Edward F. Zaremba, Sr., 86, a 55-year resident of Atkinson, died peacefully in his home on Thursday, June 9, 2011.
Born in Everett, son of the late Walter and Mary (Lukasiak) Zaremba, he was raised in Chelsea and attended St. Stanislaus Elementary School. A member of the Chelsea High School, Class of 1942, he later graduated from the Boston School of Engineering. A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, Mr. Zaremba served in the South Pacific aboard the USS New Jersey, America's most decorated battleship.
He was a recipient of the World War II Victory Medal, American Theatre Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal with nine Stars, the Philippine Liberation Medal with two Stars, and the Good Conduct Medal. As a plank owner of the USS New Jersey, Mr. Zaremba returned to the ship over the years to attend reunions with his shipmates. He was devoted to the memory and historical significance of the USS Jersey and devoted a special room in his home known as "the Jersey Room" that displayed all of his ship memorabilia.
Following his discharge from the service, Mr. Zaremba was employed at General Electric Co. and Western Electric Co. as a machinist. He moved to the southern New Hampshire area and was a co-founder of Hampstead Hardware and later founded Dependable Rubbish. He continued his business entrepreneurial skills and became a land developer in Southern New Hampshire and finally became a part-owner of RAM Printing in Hampstead with his two sons, Wally and Buddy.
A member of Saint Anne's Parish of Hampstead, and a former member of Holy Angels Parish of Plaistow, he was a past commander and member of the Hampstead Post of the VFW and a member of the Kingston Post of the VFW and a lifetime member of the National VFW. He was also a life member of the Chelsea Post of the Polish American War Veterans and a member of the Battleship New Jersey Historical Society, and the Atkinso Volunteer Fire Department.
A devoted husband and family man, he is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Eleanor M. (Doucette) Zaremba; two daughters, Loretta and her husband David Meleedy of Amesbury, and Cheryl and her husband Charles Guido of Sun City West, Ariz.; two sons, Edward F. "Buddy" Zaremba and his wife Robin of Hampstead, and Walter "Wally" Zaremba and his girlfriend Julie Darwin of Sandown; seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; three brothers, Chester Zaremba and his wife Anne of Chelsea, Stanley Zaremba and his wife Marian of Peabody, Ted Zaremba and his wife Jean of Wakefield; a sister, Lucille Owocki of Brewster; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Vera Barys and Agnes Pretti.
ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends may call on Monday, June 13, 2011 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home. His funeral will be held on Tuesday at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 in Saint Anne's Church, Emerson Avenue, Hampstead. Burial will follow in Atkinson Cemetery.
