Eugene "Gene" Zuniga

Eugene “Gene” Zuniga, 79, of Fredericksburg, Virginia passed away peacefully on Friday July 9, 2021 surrounded by his loving family.

Gene spent his early years in San Diego where he was born and raised, and in his 20s went on to voluntarily enlist in the U.S. Air Force where he served honorably for four years. He moved to Washington, DC after completing his duty, and met and married his wife Cristina. They went on to have three daughters whom Gene lovingly referred to as his greatest “treasures”. Gene was a Roman Catholic who praised God through his choir singing and living a life of religious devotion.

Gene worked a variety of occupations in his lifetime most notably as an Airman, proofreader for the Washington Star newspaper, real estate agent, and concluded his career with the IRS as a Revenue Officer. Gene had many passions to include cheering on the Washington Football Team, bowling, gardening, playing pool, and singing in the church and community choirs. His love for travel led him to many places abroad and in the U.S., to include driving across the country from DC to California. Gene’s love for adventure made him a fun dad, and memorable moments were had with his daughters making trips to downtown DC and summers spent in Ocean City, Maryland.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Cristina Zuniga; daughters Alexandra Shriner of Fredericksburg, VA, Patricia Whitley (Jay) of Brambleton, VA, Brenda Garner (Bryan) of Leesburg, VA; grandchildren Elena Shriner, Tymire Garner, Ava Garner, and Nora Garner; sisters Anne Daggett, Rita Sturgeon, Libby Zuniga; brother Ernie Zuniga; along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Kino and Bea Zuniga.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday July 14, 2021 at Covenant Funeral Service, Stafford, 1310 Courthouse Rd. Stafford, VA 22554. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday July 15, 2021 at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, 1009 Stafford Ave Fredericksburg, VA 22401.  A committal service with military funeral honors will be held at Quantico National Cemetery 18424 Joplin Road, Triangle, VA 22172 on Friday July 16, 2021 at 10:30am (arrive at 10am).