WORCESTER___Sigmund J. “Zig” Sieniuc, 86, of Worcester died Monday February 9, 2009 in Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, 378 Plantation St. He was a former 30 year resident of Coes Pond Village.
Zig was born July 2, 1922 in Worcester, a son of Frank F. and Valeria (Skreczko) Sieniuc. He graduated from the High School of Commerce.
In 1942, Zig became a civilian employee of War Department stationed at the Pentagon, and later at the Signal Corps Depot, Philadelphia, PA. He was a sportswriter for the Worcester Telegram and Gazette for 27 years. During his career as a sportswriter, he covered high school sports and WPI football. He also wrote regular bowling and auto racing columns.
From 1945 to 1953 he was also swimming director at the Ionic Ave Boys Club where he coached, among others, Bobby Mattson who later became an NCAA champion at North Carolina State College. He was also the head coach of varsity swimming at Worcester Academy and Nichols College.
He began his long swimming career at the Boys’ Club, winning the Western Mass and New England backstroke championships. He was still active in competitive swimming capturing New England Masters Swim titles in the backstroke in 1982 and 1992 at Brown University, and broke a record in August 1992 in the 50 meter backstroke for his age group. "Mr. Z" was a longtime certified life guard and swim instructor at several area state parks, city pools and the Greendale and Central Branch YMCA.
Among his survivors are five daughters, Valerie J. Degnan of Sturbridge; Vera M. Broga of Clearwater , Fl., Donna M. Sullivan -Tilson of Holden; Patricia M. Dymek of Brookfield and Linda C.Jackson of Florida. A daughter Maria C. Besaw, a son Gary S. Sieniuc, and his former wife, Dimitra M. (Pappas) Sieniuc pre-deceased him. He leaves twelve grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and many nephews and nieces including Sr. Loretta Ciccarelli, MPV. He also leaves his sister Joan R. Sieniuc of Worcester. He was predeceased by three brothers and three sisters, Francis R., John R. and Edmund R. Sieniuc, Genevieve (Jinka) Ciccarelli, Barbara Mazzone and Helen T. Mazarella.
Zig loved swimming, sports, ocean beaches, a fine cigar and trips to a casino. He was known for his sense of humor and knowledge of sports trivia.
He wished to donate his body to the University of Massachusetts Medical School. A memorial Mass and celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Boys' and Girls' Club of Worcester, 65 Tainter St, Worcester, MA, 01610. HENRY - DIRSA FUNERAL HOME, 33 Ward Street, has care of the arrangements.