WWII Veteran US Navy DE225
09/28/1925 to 11/11/2013
Thomas G. Zipps, Sr. of Beverly Hills, FL died on November 11, 2013 following a brief illness. He was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, a son of John T. and Hannah (Neeson) Zipps. He graduated from Lowell High School and completed a variety of vocational courses in the Greater Boston area. He entered the United States Navy in September 1943, where he served as a Signalman Second Class aboard the USS Day-225 in the 7th Fleet, serving in the South Pacific, New Guinea and Phillipine theaters. He was honorably discharged in April 1946. It is remarkable that he and his shipmates gathered together from near and far for an annual reunion until recently. After his discharge from the U.S. Navy, he worked in the family business, Zipps Bakery in Lowell, as a real estate broker, and finally as a bridge carpenter and heavy equipment operator for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, retiring in 1988. Following his retirement, he relocated to Beverly Hills, Florida, with the goal of never seeing another snowflake. He was a life member of the Beverly Hills VFW Post 10087 and Elks Lodge 2522 as well as a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, German American Club of West Citrus, and Beverly Hills Civic Association, Fishing and Garden clubs. His hobbies included bowling, gardening and cards, but his passion was ballroom dancing, especially at the Sunday evening dances at the Knights of Columbus in Lecanto. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Thomas G. and Sheryl (Neff) Zipps of Merrimack, New Hampshire; his daughter, Corinne Zipps and her partner, Dana Ashline, of Windham, Maine and Port Latour, Nova Scotia; his brother, Francis Zipps, of Lowell, Massachusetts; his sisters, Theresa Riley of Chelmsford, MA, Eleanor McCann of Pelham, NH, and Claire Patronick of Lowell, MA; his stepdaughter, Debbie Wallace of Lowell, MA; and his grandson, Jason Wallace and wife Kelley of South Paris, Maine and their beautiful children; many, many treasured friends; and Alaskan malamute Tiguaq, who adored his grampy. He was predeceased by his wife, Dolores (Trudel), brother Walter Zipps, and sisters Kathleen Zipps, Mildred Sullivan and Shirley Gilbert. Because of the exceptionally caring and compassionate care he received there, he has asked that those who wish to make a memorial contribution consider Hospice House of Citrus County, PO Box 641270, Beverly Hills, FL 34464.
Interment will be at Florida National Veterans Cemetery at Bushnell on a date to be determined. At his request, there will be no viewing or funeral. Instead, he has asked that friends and family gather together for a Celebration of Remembrance at Beverly Hills VFW Post 10087, 2170 W. Vet Lane on Saturday, November 16 from 1 to 3 PM to share food, laughter and wonderful memories.
Arrangements entrusted to
Fero Funeral Home
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