William Zenga (Dr. Z) R.I.P.

[Raphael]

http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignit ... id=7111354

We lost well-known collector Bill Zenga the other day. He was a fixture at Stanton's and Union for a number of years, a truly impassioned collector with a tremendous zest for life.

Bill was my customer for the past 15 years and we never failed to get each other's blood pressure boiling at the first opportunity. It was all part of the game and what makes collecting and dealing so much fun. Even though we were neighbors, he would never allow me into his house, knowing that would rile me up whenever the subject arose. When he would come to my house, there would be so much chaos during his visit that my wife usually needed to intervene.

I guess I could write many paragraphs of Dr. Z stories, but it can all be condensed into this: "Bill we will miss you. Rest In Peace."


Raphael

[JerryVan]

Wow. Yes, he was a frequent attendee at Stanton auctions, as you say. Always interesting to see what he would buy, as his interests seemed quite wide and varied. I only spoke with him briefly on a couple occasions, but even so, I was left with a good opinion of him. Too bad. Too young. Rest in peace.

[Marco Gilardetti]

Dear Raphael, although quite obviously I never had the chance to meet him, I understand you've lost a friend and a person you liked to meet. Judjing by the obituary, he must have been a truly interesting and lively person, with a sort of kaleidoscopic personality. His children look awesome and intelligent. I wonder how it came that a sportsman, as he was, happened to die so young, but that's just how life is. Please accept my condolences.

[Raphael]

Marco,

Thanks for the kind words. Bill and I knew each other for years, and quite frankly I am still in a state of shock. I guess I sort of took him for granted and this completely came out of nowhere. His son told me that from the time of his cancer diagnosis to his death was only about 9 days.

We have a Lion's Head style 240 Reginaphone in my dining room, with a special high-gloss "piano" finish. It looks brand-new inside and out. Bill would drool all over it every time he came over. I have five of these 240's, and that is the one he was zeroed in on. For 12 years we argued, negotiated and talked about the deal that never quite happened. I'll never look at that machine again without thinking of him.

Raphael