If you would like to live in a community in which you take great pride, then dedicate yourself to that with humility and action. Spending your years in this city isn’t just about being neighbors; it’s doing life together. Charles P. “Zeke” Cziryak carried great pride in his country and his city. There are times when we make history, and there are times when history makes us. “Zeke’s” home had contributed to the manpower of our great nation, upholding the ideals of our American freedoms, serving as a Lance Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps during the very beginning of the Vietnam War. Mr. Cziryak was a kind, generous, and caring family man who just adored his wife, “Dutchie,” his family, country, and his city.
We’ve reached the age where life stops giving things; it now takes them away. But don’t fear sadness, as it tends to sit right next to love. Charles P. “Zeke” Cziryak passed away on Monday, April 6, 2026, at Cooper Hospital, Camden. To the whole world, you were just a husband, father, and pop. To your family, you were our world.
What you put out in the world comes back to you. We can look back on this and smile because it was life, and “Zeke” decided to live it. Mr. Cziryak was born in and spent all of his years as a Gloucester neighbor. He made his career working at the Philadelphia Navy yard and loved to cheer on his hometown teams, the Phightin Phils and “Birds”. “Zeke was an accomplished athlete. He was a longtime member, the oldest member in fact, of the Sportsman AC, volunteered his time as a Gloucester youth sports coach, and was a Hall of Fame adult softball pitcher playing for the Camden Cast Stone, AC Hawks, and Ferry Fence, among others, over the years. Deep down, Mr. Cziryak was a “pond boy”. He enjoyed hunting, camping, and, of course, banging on the old tambourine in the Oldman’s Creek Junkyard Band.
Mr. Cziryak leaves to cherish his memory and will be deeply missed by his loving and doting wife of 69 years, Ida M. “Dutchie” (nee Urbach) Cziryak. Charles is survived by his children, Paula & her husband Michael McFadden, Charles, “Chalie” Jr. & his wife Maureen, and Lisa & her husband James Kreston. Mr. Cziryak is the proud Pop of Rachel & her husband Randy Orr, Zack & his wife Norah Cziryak, Alyssa Cziryak, Noah Cziryak, Taylor Kreston, Corey Kreston, and great-grandfather of Ralyn, Ruby, Rory, and Oona. Charlie comes from a large family and was the oldest of his siblings. He was predeceased by his parents, Dorothy & her husband Charles Fischer, his brothers Lester Fisher/wife Flossie, Louis Fischer/wife Joan, Edward Fischer, and sister BettyAnn Anderson/husband Maurice, and is survived by: Alice Contarino, Anna May McVall, William Fischer, Joseph Fischer, Carol Ann Hall, and Michael Fischer. Zeke is also survived by his special cousin, Luke Humphrey, Jr..
Relatives, friends, and a lifetime of Gloucester neighbors are invited to gather with the Cziryak family on Saturday morning between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm at McGee Celebration Etherington Funeral Home, 700 Powell St., Gloucester City, where a remembrance ceremony will be celebrated at 12:00 pm.
In honor of those who have sacrificed. In tribute to those who have fallen and in gratitude to those now serving, Lance Corporal Cziryak will be rendered U.S. Marine Corps Military Honors and laid to rest privately at The Brigadier General William C. Doyle, Veterans Memorial Cemetery.