Borough, firefighting community mourn loss of Zeek
Hollidaysburg icon ‘cared about everybody’
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As people pass down memories of those who lifted this community, David Zeek will be a name often voiced.
Hollidaysburg Mayor Joe Dodson shared a succinct overview of Zeek's voluminous contributions:
"He was always there for the fire company and the ambulance association. He worked for the borough for more than 40 years. He was a school crossing guard and he helped at the Canal Basin Park during the summers."
"I called him 'Mr. Hollidaysburg,'" he said.
Zeek, 69, passed away Wednesday at UPMC Altoona. He is survived by his wife, Sarah; two daughters, three grandsons, a brother, sister-in-law and many friends.
Zeek was a 52-year member of the Phoenix Volunteer Fire Company in Hollidaysburg, where he served as borough fire marshal, as president of the department and as a state fire instructor. At the time of his death, he served as local emergency management coordinator for Hollidaysburg as well as Blair Township.
(See obituary on Page A5.)
Mark Taylor, Blair County director of public safety, said it's hard to hear "emergency services" and not think of Dave Zeek.
Taylor said he shared a lot of memories with Zeek, and that he was always conscientious and dependable.
"He's one of those guys who was a friend even during emergencies," he said.
Zeek was a 27-year Jaffa Shriner through the Hollidaysburg Masonic Lodge 220, having first joined the fraternity in May 1993. He held positions as president of the Jaffa Shrine Road Runners and president of the Jaffa Ushers.
Zeek spent hours driving children to Shriners Hospitals in Philadelphia, Erie and Cincinnati.
Jacob Lockard, current president of Jaffa Shrine Road Runners, was Zeek's travel partner for many trips. Lockard said whenever they needed someone to drive, Zeek was always ready to help.
"He cared about everybody," Lockard said.
Zeek would often joke around with people on those trips to keep their spirits up, Lockard said. And, he could just as soon take a joke.
"We used to call him 'chicken man' because he'd buy chicken and pizza for us after group meetings," Lockard said. "He was an outstanding human being and he's going to be missed."
After graduating from the Hollidaysburg Area High School in 1968, Zeek began working for the Hollidaysburg Borough. He retired as its public works director, after 44 years with the borough.
Rick Pope, who currently holds that position, started out as Zeek's assistant.
"He never ceased to amaze me," Pope said. "When you'd bring up an address to find a meter, nine times out of ten, he would know exactly where it was."
Zeek knew his town and his town knew him.
"I remember taking Dave's truck to pick up supplies and felt like I was in a parade because everyone would be waving," Pope said, laughing.
"Every once in a while a town loses an icon," Dodson said. "And as far as I'm concerned, we lost an icon in Dave."
Mirror Staff Writer Dom Cuzzolina is at 814-946-7428.