TORRINGTON – Edward J. “Bud” Zeiner, 92, of 57 Dorothy Drive died May 9, 2015 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was the loving husband of June L. (Butts) Zeiner for 65 years.

Born April 12, 1923 in Torrington, he was the son of the late Edward O. and Marion S. (Bagrie) Zeiner. He was a lifelong resident of Torrington and attended local schools and was a 1941 graduate of Torrington High School, where he was on the Track Team.

He had been employed by the Hendey Machine Co. prior to his entry in the armed forces. At the start of World War II he served as a volunteer in the Civilian Defense Force as an auxiliary fireman and was its secretary. Upon entry into service he was assigned to the Second Air Force in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and later with the 90th Infantry Division in the European theater. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Unit Award, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. Ed fought in the Battle of the Bulge as a BAR infantryman in General Patton’s 3rd Army.

After the war in Europe ended, he was awarded the European/African/Middle Eastern campaign medal with three bronze battle stars, the American campaign medal, Good Conduct and Victory medals. As a non-commissioned officer, he served in the occupational forces in Germany until his discharge.

In 1946, he served as a callman for the Torrington Fire Dept. and was appointed to the regular force of the department in 1947. His appointment as fire marshal for the city was in 1962 and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1984. While with the department, he received several citations of merit from the Muscular Dystrophy Assocs. of America for heading drives for funds.

He was a charter member of the Fire Service Section of the National Fire Protection Assoc. and the Connecticut Firemen’s Historical Society, Inc. A past member of the New England Assoc. of Fire Marshals and the International Assoc. of Fire Fighters, and the Litchfield County Fire Chief’s Emergency Plan, and an honorary member of the Connecticut Fire Marshal’s Assoc.

He was a former member of the Torrington Memorial Post, No. 9086, V.F.W. As a volunteer he served with the Torrington Chapter of the American Red Cross in the motor service and on the board of directors from 1964 to 1970. In his retirement years he was active with the city’s nutrition program and services for the elderly. He and his wife devoted much time with cub scout programs in this area. He was a member of AARP/Torrington Chapter of AARP, Edward E. Sullivan Senior Center, and Trinity Episcopal Church, and a member of The Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter No. 670.

Besides his wife, he is survived by four sons and their spouses; Mark A. Zeiner and Patricia Zeiner of Goshen, Jeffrey J. Zeiner, Jonathan G. Zeiner and Karen Zeiner, and Robert W. Zeiner and Maureen Zeiner, all of Torrington; a daughter-in-law, Lillian Zeiner; 14 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his oldest son, Edward D. Zeiner on Oct. 18, 2013 and by his sister, Virginia L. Nierintz.

Ed truly was from the “Greatest Generation” and will be greatly missed. Dad ‘til we meet again God be with you. With Love, Your Family.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, at Rowe Funeral Home, 283 Torrington Road, Litchfield. Burial with military honors will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Torrington. Friends and family may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, May 11, at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

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