John G. Zimmerman

John George Zimmerman, 84, of Beverly, MA, passed away, Tuesday, April 21, 2020, in Beverly Hospital due to complications from pneumonia and COVID-19. Whether you called him John, Dad, Cousin, Uncle, or “Snappy,” everyone knew him to have a great smile and a super story to tell.

John was a larger than life personality, best known for his work as an award-winning Snap-On Tools Dealer, a business he and his wife Betty built and managed for over 40 years. He would often be found in the “great white truck” in the yard, putting inventory away or helping his favorite customers to pick out the right tool. John was a mentor and guide to many of the young people he met on his sales route during his time in business; he was an inspiration to many young Snap-On Tools dealers, and to his grandchildren in Templeton.

John was born in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late George and Beatrice (Cote) Zimmerman and moved to Gardner when he was young. He spent his youth on Pine Street in Gardner, MA enjoying the close-knit community and the bustling downtown during the city’s peak furniture manufacturing days. John played piano and attended a year at Berklee College of Music in the late ‘50s, focusing on jazz. He was a United States Army Vietnam War Veteran serving from 1961 to1965 with the Field Artillery Division piloting tanks.

He moved to Templeton in 1965, where he lived until the passing of his wife. In his retirement years, he and Betty looked forward to alternating seasons spent in York, Maine, and Florida, and hardly left home without the beloved family Cairn Terrier, Sadie. He loved a healthy helping of linguini with clam sauce paired with a glass (or two) of Chianti. His preferred pastimes were watching golf, tennis, and his favorite NASCAR racers. John moved to Beverly, MA, in 2018, during which he enjoyed time spent with his youngest grandchildren, the North Shore offerings, new friends, and reading a good Tom Clancy or Clive Cussler novel.

He was predeceased by his wife of 55-years, Elizabeth (LaFrenier) Zimmerman, who died in 2018.

John leaves two children, Kristine Boudreau and her husband Marc, of Phillipston and Steven Zimmerman and his wife Larissa of Wenham; five grandchildren: Zachary Boudreau and wife Sarah, Justin Boudreau, Alexander, Julian, and Veronique Doronin-Zimmerman; a sister-in-law, Patricia Adams; two Goddaughters; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held and announced at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, New England Division, 3 Speen Street, Suite 250, Framingham, MA, 01701. Please reference in memory of John G. Zimmerman.