Frederick Lynn Zimmerman

Fred Zimmerman was born November 27, 1944, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and passed away at home, surrounded by his family, on March 23, 2024, in Clearwater, Florida.

In life, Fred was many things to many people—husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, son, brother, and friend. He worked hard to support his family, often six days a week, as a contractor, but “contractor” is an insufficient word to describe what he did. He was a true craftsman who rose early, took pride in his vocation, and brought a creative flair to anything he worked on. Whether designing a library for a customer or building his own family home, his unique skill was evident and enjoyed by everyone who came into contact with it. And he was generous with that skill, always willing to help friends and family with their own projects.

Even while working long hours, Fred found time to indulge his hobbies and interests. He was a voracious reader who loved a good crime novel. He enjoyed clear mornings drifting the grass flats near Honeymoon Island, catching sea trout. He cherished time spent in mountain towns, especially skiing his favorite run (Cowboy Coffee) in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, or hanging out and having a drink at Eddy’s in Saluda, North Carolina. He was an animal lover who cared for a long list of dogs and cats throughout his life. He was a fast-food connoisseur who could name every restaurant and gas station along I-75 between Safety Harbor and Naples.

Fred was kind and understanding. He cared deeply about his family and the people in his life. Above all, he had a terrific dry sense of humor. Even in his last few years, as his faculties waned, he managed to tease and joke with those around him. And now, it’s easy to imagine him looking down from above while enjoying a burger and a beer with a smile on his face and a dog at his side, wondering what all this fuss is about.

Fred is survived—and will be greatly missed—by his wife, Mary, and his children, Jay, Brian, Ami, Ryan, and Katie.