John Baptist Zimmer

John Baptist Zimmer, 86, of Ossipee, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026. On that day, he was reunited with his beloved wife, Linda A. (Richardson) Zimmer, on what would have been their 61st wedding anniversary—a fitting reunion for a love that defined his life.

Born in 1940 in West Ossipee, New Hampshire, John was the son of Oswald A. J. Zimmer and Sylvia M. (Eldridge) Comeau. After the tragic loss of his father in 1947, John was lovingly raised by his mother and stepfather, Philip J. Comeau (“Daddy Phil”), alongside his brother William and twin sister Mary in a small home on Quincy Road in Rumney, NH—a place that shaped his values, resilience, and deep love of the outdoors.

John excelled in school and athletics, graduating 4th in his class from Plymouth High School in 1958, where he played varsity football, basketball and baseball. His lifelong passion for hunting and fishing began early, shared with Daddy Phil, and later with his children, family, and friends.

In 1960, John enlisted in the United States Army, serving with the 382nd Field Artillery in Italy for three years as a technical specialist, maintaining and repairing specialized and cryptographic military equipment. While in Italy, he also pursued his love of baseball, playing professionally for Parma and winning the league championship in 1962. He was offered a lower level minor-league contract by the Red Sox, but decided to pursue his professional career instead.

While home on military leave, John met the love of his life, Linda. They married on February 6, 1965, in Scituate, Massachusetts, where they built their home and raised their family. John later attended the New England Institute of Anatomy, Sanitary Science, Embalming, and Funeral Directing, serving as Class President and graduating in 1967 with highest honors. He dedicated his professional life to serving others with compassion, eventually owning and managing the Ernest A. Richardson Funeral Home, (Richardson-Gaffey), caring for generations of South Shore families in their time of need. He was a proud member of the Massachusetts and National Funeral Directors Associations, as well as the Scituate and South Shore Chambers of Commerce.

John loved sports and community involvement. He played fast and slow pitch softball for many years in Scituate, coached CYO and Pony League baseball, participated in the Scituate Bowling League, and served on the Board of Directors for Seahawks Youth Hockey.

He found his greatest joy in simple, meaningful moments: fishing for brook trout in small mountain streams in New Hampshire, deer hunting season with friends and loved ones in Wolfeboro, NH, walks in the rain, games of rummy and cribbage, tending his vegetable garden, swimming in the family pool, crossword puzzles, and time spent with his dogs. A quiet man of strength and intelligence, John spoke thoughtfully, and when he did, people listened.

He was predeceased by his parents, Slyvia M. (Eldridge) Comeau and Oswald A.J. Zimmer; his stepfather, Philip Comeau; his brother, William J. Zimmer; his sister-in-law, Rosie Zimmer; and his wife, Linda A. (Richardson) Zimmer.

John is survived by his twin sister Mary and her husband Ronald Preble of Bristol, NH; his daughter Joanne Bartlett of Marshfield, MA; his daughter Marlene Zimmer and partner Michael Eno of Rochester, NH; his son John and wife Elizabeth Zimmer of Marshfield, MA; and his son Jason and wife Laura Zimmer of Marshfield, MA. His greatest legacy lives on through his 13 grandchildren: Joshua, Cathryn, Connor, Tyler, Kobe, Nathan, Bradi, Emily, Sarah, Kate, Paige, Rowan, and Lily; and his six great-grandchildren: Alana, RJ, Elizabeth, Brian, Rose and Myles.

The family is deeply grateful to the compassionate staff of Mountain View Community in Ossipee, NH, for the care and kindness shown to John during his time there.

Per his wishes, services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to the Barry Conservation Camp through the New Hampshire Wildlife Heritage Foundation: https://nhwildlifeheritage.org/donate/.