Zygmunt Henry Papciak

Zygmunt Henry Papciak passed away unexpectedly on April 5th at age 87, and will be remembered as a practical joker with a wicked sense of humor, a passionate sports fan, and for his extraordinarily “colorful” language.

“Ziggy” was born in Quakertown PA on July 28, 1937, to Henry Papciak and Anna Dwulit. He grew up on a dairy farm that was owned and operated by his Polish immigrant grandfather, Zygmunt, for whom he was named.

Ziggy attended a rural one-room schoolhouse in his early years and graduated from Quakertown High School in 1955. An avid football player, he was extremely proud to play on the Championship Team that same year. (Go Panthers!)

After attending Westchester University for a semester, Ziggy joined the Marine Corps in 1956, where he proudly served his country for six years, and attained the rank of Supply Sergeant. He served one Tour of Duty in Okinawa Japan and the Philippines, before being Honorably Discharged in 1962.

Ziggy married Joyce Elaine Faith in 1963, and they raised three children together, and first resided in Richlandtown. They later moved to Coopersburg, and built the house where Ziggy lived for the next 52 years. Ziggy and Joyce were active members of their church community, and they co-taught a raucous childrens’ Sunday school class for over fourteen years, with skits, puppets, jokes, and Ziggy’s always entertaining antics.

A loyal member of IUOE, the International Union of Operating Engineers, Ziggy worked as a Master Mechanic on heavy machinery for two construction companies: James D. Morrisey Inc, and later the Thomas Durkin & Sons Company. Ziggy spent his retirement years working several odd jobs, but his favorite was as a bus driver for the Brandywine Bus Company, transporting students to the Swain School and St. Thomas Moore.

Ziggy is preceded in death by his grandson Joshua in 2002, and his wife Joyce in 2008. He is survived by a son, Bryan, of Waltham, MA; daughter Karen Seemann and son-in-law Bert Seemann of Bally, PA; and daughter Elaine Papciak of Allentown, PA. His grandchildren are Matthew Seemann and granddaughter-in-law Rachel Shallue, and Alyssa and Owen Seemann. Ziggy was very pleased to learn that he was expecting his first great-grandchild August of 2025.

Burial will be a private event for immediate family, but there will be a celebratory memorial gathering for Ziggy on June 14th for all family, friends, the Philadelphia Eagles, some Phillies, and NASCAR is also invited. Details will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please send any donations in Ziggy's memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, a non-profit veterans support service.