Gene Zarayko, who served as Northampton Borough manager for 30 years, died Tuesday at his Newport Avenue residence. He was 76.

Borough council lauded Zarayko at its May meeting, citing a host of contributions he made to the community and its residents. In paying tribute to Zarayko, who shunned the limelight and rather recognized others for their service to the borough, council agreed, “Gene bled orange and black.”

Zarayko, who officially retired May 31, has a borough street named in his honor. Gene Zarayko Drive is a section of 14th Street near the municipal building on Laubach Avenue, where Zarayko had his office.

A lifelong borough resident, Zarayko served on borough council until his appointment by borough council in March 1986 as borough manager.

He is survived by his wife, Carol, and three children.

At press time, funeral arrangements had not been completed. See next week’s Press for coverage of Zarayko’s service.