Eugene S. Brezniak

of Newton. Born in Boston on June 10, 1927 to immigrant parents, Mr. Brezniak graduated from Newton High School in 1944. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he graduated from Northeastern University in 1950 with a degree in business. He also served in the Army during the Korean conflict. Mr. Brezniak spent several decades as a partner at Brezniak & Shulman Insurance Agency in Boston. He also owned a series of nightclubs in Boston, including The Rathskeller, a legendary rock music venue in Kenmore Square.

Mr. Brezniak was an active athlete and outdoorsman, a passion he pursued at the Boston Ski & Sports Club, which he purchased in 1974. Under his direction, the BSSC grew from an informal club with two part-time employees into a popular sport and social organization with 15 full time employees and tens of thousands of participants. “Gene was all about having fun,” says his wife Ann Lord, whom he married in 1996, and who worked alongside him at the BSSC. “He hated to work, but this didn’t feel like work for him. It was all about going skiing and playing volleyball and meeting cute girls. Including me.”

Along with Ms. Lord, Mr. Brezniak leaves a daughter, Debra Brezniak Solomon, of California, her husband David Solomon, and their children Jennifer and Max. His son Peter Brezniak lives in Connecticut.  Mr. Brezniak is also survived by two sisters: Cynthia Brezniak Shulman of Dedham (formerly Newton,) and Renee Brezniak Glazier of San Antonio, Texas (formerly Newton.) He was beloved by seven nieces and nephews, and by their spouses and children.

Funeral services will be held Sunday February 21 at 2pm at Wilson Chapel, 234 Herrick Rd, Newton. Interment will be at Staro Konstantinov Cemetery on Baker St in West Roxbury. Shiva will be observed following the services on Sunday at the family residence, 340 C Boylston St.Newton(Residences at Chestnut Hill) through 8pm, and on Monday and Tuesday from 1-4pm and 6-9pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hebrew Senior Life Hospice Program, 1200 Centre St, Roslindale MA 02131 or to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston.