Condolence: I just now heard the news about John and am very sad. It seems like only yesterday we would have all been sitting together in the pub at Scarborough College. Seeing the comments from my old friends, it makes me realize how fleeting time is. John was always so kind, a real gentle giant. I think my favourite memory is the time a whole group of us were at his mom's place when a big snow storm came in and we were all stranded for the night. John's mom made up beds, gave us pyjamas and fed all of us. It was a wonderful night and we could all see where John got his kind nature. I am very sad and send my warmest thoughts to his family and all my friends who miss John.

Condolence: I just now heard the news about John and am very sad. It seems like only yesterday we would have all been sitting together in the pub at Scarborough College. Seeing the comments from my old friends, it makes me realize how fleeting time is. John was always so kind, a real gentle giant. I think my favourite memory is the time a whole group of us were at his mom's place when a big snow storm came in and we were all stranded for the night. John's mom made up beds, gave us pyjamas and fed all of us. It was a wonderful night and we could all see where John got his kind nature. I am very sad and send my warmest thoughts to his family and all my friends who miss John.

Condolence: Marion, I am so shocked to hear the news of John's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I hope the happy memories of your life together will provide you with some comfort in the difficult days ahead.

Condolence: Dear Marion and dear Jonathan,
von ganzem Herzen möchten wir unser tiefempfundenes Beileid aussprechen und Euch viel Kraft und Gottes Beistand in diesen schweren Stunden wünschen. Es ist schwer die richtigen Worte zu finden, doch möchten wir wissen lassen, dass wir in Gedanken Euch nahe sind. Wir wünschen Euch ganz viel Kraft und Stärke und dass der Schmerz bald vergeht und die Trauer sich in ein Gefühl der Dankbarkeit wandelt. Norbert und Erika

Condolence: To the Zimmer Family;
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss.
I did not know John well, but I am part of the class of '76 from Neil.

Greg

Condolence: Donations in John Zimmer's Memory.

Dear Friends and Family of John Zimmer,

The sudden loss of a father and a husband is a very difficult time in ones life. It is not only the immediate loss, but also the long term effect of that loss that one grieves and faces. With this in mind, we have sent our donation in John's name to his son, Jonathon, for his Education Fund. Jonathon is our nephew and has talked about going to University after he graduates from high school with a desire to go to Medical School. I am sure that John would have been proud to see his son follow his love of helping others in the medical field. Please consider this alternate option for your donations. This is solely the idea of the Westedt Family.

Rest in peace John, until we meet again.

Condolence: Dear Marion and Jon
I was one of John's teachers who attended the service today and could not get near you to express my condolences to this sudden devastating loss. I was most impressed by your remarks about big John.It seems consistency was his middle name,For some reason that year is most vivid to me i guess for many reasons.I have had my own reunion for 25 years now (I left Neil after 18 years in 1986) and so I have kept in touch with many of John's year.A story you might enjoy.

At the end of 1975 about midnight on a June night,John appeared with Jimmy McLeod Mike McGann and one or two others at my front door. Our bedroom was near the door of this bungalow,They knew where I lived because they wee often in my house and I think they had a few beers.I peeked out and started laughing.Told Joan it was Ok---"just the boys having some fun." I did not let them know I had spotted them.A few days later they wee in the gym writing a final exam and I quietly dropped a note on John's desk."Zimmer I saw you the other night and don't dare signing up for my grade 13 religion course." I saw him read it, go red and when i looked at him, i just winked.

They were and are a great group as testified by their attendance (I counted 12).We raised a glass down the street in John's memory.A lovely person gone too soon but always with us.

again my condolences.

Ted Schmidt Neil 1968-1986

Condolence: It's been many years since I last saw Zim but I still have vivid memories of him from our days at and after S.C.
He was one of those rare people we are sometimes lucky to meet who seem larger than life.
I was very saddened by the news and wish to offer my sincere condolences to John's family.

Tom Kann

Condolence: I am deeply saddened by the news of John’s passing.

John and I became good friends at Neil McNeil High School in the early seventies. He was always smiling and laughing. Everyone loved hanging around with John.

In 1975 I had the privilege of travelling to Europe with John and staying with his relatives in a small town in the Austrian mountains called St Jacob in Valdi (excuse the spelling). The hospitality we received from John's relatives was overwhelming. They made us feel very welcome. I owe John a lot for this great experience. That was one of the greatest summers of my life.

I will miss him.

Jeff Fisher
Neil McNeil - Class of 1976

Condolence: It was a shock to hear of John's passing. Although i haven't seen Zim in years, i have some great memories of both playing football with John and having him help coach us at U of T-Scarborough College. Zim always made things fun and was a passionate man in all his endeavors. i just thought of him a few weeks ago when taking my son to East York for a hockey game when we drove by Coxwell. My sincere condolences to John's family....