I never had the privilege of meeting Jonathan in person but every  story I have heard makes me wish I had! 
What an incredible human being filled with purpose, compassion, love for his family and friends, and one who encouraged and lifted others up. 
A bright light was snuffed out way too early for one who gave so much. 
Hugs to his family and especially his parents who still feel his loss so deeply.

Dr. Z changed my life... and I barely knew him. I was working as an EMT in Charlotte, and my dream was to go to medical school and become an Air Force Emergency Medicine physician. As a result, I was introduced to him by my Paramedic friend who knew him well and Dr. Z ended up giving me his business card. Fast forward I got into medical school, and was applying for the HPSP through the Air Force and needed a recommendation letter. I used the card he gave me to reach out and ask if he would help me with this. He did not hesitate and wrote me a wonderful letter. I ended up getting the scholarship. Dr. Z had helped me achieve my dreams. I graduate this May and matched into Emergency Medicine. I looked him up because I wanted to thank him once again. I am sadden to learn he has passed away. If I could become half the physician he was, I know I will be successful. The way he went out of his way for me, speaks volumes of what kind of man he was. My deepest condolences and prayers to his family.

I visited Atrium ER as a patient today 05/07/24, and I asked the staff for Dr. Z who took care of me as family a couple of years ago.  I began to sob uncontrollably when I learnt that he passed. I was in shock.  He told me to call him Dr Z. He made an indelible impression on my life that will never be forgotten. Dr Z placed my head in his hands and told me to let the weight of my head rest in his hands to relieve the pain and discomfort I was experiencing. He took great care in explaining in detail what was causing the pain. The pain was relieved instantly and my blood pressure returned to normal. Dr. Z you were an asset to Atrium Health ER. I pray for his family.,Dr. Z…RIP. C. Archibald.

I just read his story in JAMA 3/28/23. I was so hoping he had survived his cancer. My brother died in 2005 at the age of 45 from colon cancer.  My condolences to you and your boys.
Pamela Gwathmey,MD

Jonathan and Nadine came to Worthington, Ohio, as Nadine took an elementary school teaching position at our school. They both meant so much to our children and our school. Jonathan was always helping Nadine at school and was a role  model for our kids who to this day think of him fondly. Jonathan was truly an inspiration to us all with all that he accomplished and for the love he showed everyone at Worthington.

My deepest sympathies for all of you.  Sending prayers of strength and peace, especially for Levi. (One of the students from my favorite class❤️)

I was hoping to make to your funeral to make sure Henry Ford Wyandotte was represented (but I came down with COVID). You brought so much during your time there.  There was not a shift that wasn't made better by you being there. 
What stands out about our time working together was how great you were at helping people make peace with the inevitable end of their or their loved one's life while also having the skill to save those lives that were savable.
You were a beautiful man and I am so sorry you are gone,  

When I first moved to Ohio - I was all alone and Jonathan and Nadine just took me under their wings.  Jonathan was such a beautiful and kind soul.  I still remember him telling me how he was going to make his own Root Beer and how passionate he was about his job.  When they had their first son; I was in awe of how much effort and love he put into being a father. It was amazing - what lucky kids to have a dad that is so loving and “all in”.  So many fond memories - I’m so sorry Nadine.  Love from Australia 

My dearest Nadine and boys, I pray that you stay strong, healthy and safe during this difficult moment. Love you, be blessed and always remember him in your heart. He can still feel your love sweetheart. Close your hands together and you will know.

Jon was someone truly special.   We shared a bond over our love of palliative medicine and hospice care.   He coined the phrase “Levin at 11”.   He was such a pleasure to work with and took such great care with his patients.   He was always the person I would think to message first when I had a great case, and I hate that cancer took that away from him.   I know how much he loved this career and it’s just so cruel and unfair that it was ended so quickly.   I know he wanted as much time with his family as possible and I know in my heart he made the most of the time he had here.   Sending love and support to all of his family from Michigan.   Jon will never be forgotten.

Jon and I were part of a tight group of study buddies at La Sierra University. We had a ton of classes together, were lab partners for many projects, and had some epic late night study sessions. He went about our experiments and assignments the way he went about life: inquisitive, intelligent, funny...but most importantly, kind. He was definitely one of my favorite souls on this earth. And he will be greatly missed. Sending hugs and praying for a blanket of comfort to wrap around Nadine, the boys and family. 

Zygowiec family, I am so, so sorry for your loss of Jonathan. What an incredible human being. Thank you for sharing him with us here at Loma Linda for a few years. It was a blessing to have him as a student and colleague. 

It is very hard to imagine the angst you all are going through. Please know you all have been in my prayers for the last year or so as I would lift Jonathan up in prayer, you all were part of that too. Now prayers are for comfort and peace. I would like to share my favorite text with you and hopefully it will give you some comfort and peace. It is 1 Peter 5:6-11 and I’ll just share here, verse 7, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 

I know we are all looking forward to that  amazing reunion in heaven when we can be reunited with our loved ones. What a day that will be. I love you all.


Dr.Z was a great doctor and a friend. I worked with him at Pineville in the security department and we had some great adventures and some great talks. You will be missed. My prayers for the family


Side walk seflie. One of my favorite memories is the time we drove to Chicago for a conference together. We had such a great time. I always laughed so much hanging with you. You were truly a special human being. I will never forget you, JZ. Thank you for the time we shared together. I will truly miss you. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. 

I wanted to reach out and say again how sorry I am for your loss. I loved looking at all of your beautiful family photos and seeing more expressions of your families love for each other. Thank you again for allowing me to care for Jonathan and to support you and be a small part of your journey. You remain in my thoughts and prayers,
Vicki-Hospice RN

Jonathan was such a sweet friend growing up. I remember the sharp intelligence of his eyes and the natural easy-going kindness emanating from him.  We had such fun, from building castles in the sand and orchestrating (quite by accident!) Jonathan's cat's escape! He lived to be all the man he was meant to be--from practicing emergency medicine to finding his soulmate and bringing new life into his world! He was beautiful inside and out! It was an honor to know him!! 

Dear Nadine and sons,
we will send you all our best wishes, love, peace and power for now and the future.
In love
Christian and Jutta Kirsch
Mühlbacher Str. 2
97616 Salz
Germany 

This was the last picture I ever sent you. I found it in my memories album and I sent you a message remembering that day.  I told you how it took everything in me to smile for this picture when inside I was weeping. I had just lost my baby to stillbirth and you were so good and gentle with me. You didn’t even have to say much, you just hugged me with such fierce love and care. I told you how I will never forget how you made me feel in my darkest time. I will never forget you my friend. 

Too many memories to count, but one that comes to mind is the Spring break when Jonathan drove three of us girls to DC in his Toyota Corolla. I remember us going to visit Jonathan on shift in the ER. I’m not sure he appreciated our visits. 😂 

Jonathan, you are gone too soon. Andy and I are praying for comfort for Nadine, your precious boys, your parents, Krystian, and everyone else who knew and loved you. 💔

My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Jonathan was indeed one of a kind. He will be sadly missed. Such a smart, sweet, funny Man. God speed❤️💙

A memory I have of Jonathan from college. We had gone down to see a movie in South Bend and were returning back to Andrews at 1am, in our tired, slap happy state we had come up with what (we thought at the time) was the funniest idea.  We would take a road trip and take pictures of ourselves at the most random, unimpressive, unimportant places on the road trip: random fence line, some tree in a field….whatever.  Then we’d make the most professional serious coffee table book of these random, pointless places.  As we drove past Walton Rd exit Jonathan said we’d have to do random exit sign. Then you’d tell the story of the road trip. 

“Here we are at Walton Road.” 
?????
“You know, Walton Road.”

We laughed so hard we almost drove off the road! 
It isn’t even that funny but I can’t drive past Walton Rd exit without remembering Jonathan. 



As I read through all the memories is it very apparent that Jonathan left many memorable impressions. Paul Komdeur and I took Jonathan on his first ambulance ride way back when, and boy, what experience it was for him. We had multiple serious calls and that day counts as one of the reasons (among many) that he chose the medical field.  I remember his dad telling me a few days later that it had a huge impact one him and thanked us both. It was such a pleasure working with him or just have a general conversation with him (especially as he furthered his education) that I always learned something.  His wisdom as well as his intelligence will forever be remembered by all the worked with him, and he will be missed more than words can ever express. RIP brother and we'll say the prayers from here in Michigan for Nadine and the kids as well as parents and brother. Farewell.

 Erwin Bunschoten

I have been an ER nurse for 25 years and worked with a lot of providers and NO  ONE stands out like JZ! He was the best with the nurses and staff, he was the best with his patients, he was the best with the families. He always had the nurse's backs in difficult situations and always had a smile on his face. We all smiled and took a breath of relief when he walked in for a shift because we knew that no matter what happened, we were going to have a great shift. 
He loved taking care of patients, he loved serving his country and he absolutely adored his wife and kids! He was liked, loved and will be greatly missed but never forgotten!!! God be with you all!

Christina Buchanan

I am so sorry this happened to you and your family. We had many laughs from working at the hospital to working on the ambulance together. Your silliness put a smile on every person’s face that you were around. Prayers for your family. 

Your spirit will always be with the 916th AMDS. Thank you for your service Sir 💕

I have worked in Emergency Rooms for about 15 years. I have worked with more doctors than I can even recall, but I will never forget JZ! I can honestly say he was the best! I was always so happy to see him walk into our ER! He made our lives and the patient’s lives better. He was a genuinely kind, smart, funny, caring man who always kept us laughing. I never worried about my patients at all when JZ was their doctor! 
     He will be missed by so many whose lives he touched! I am heartbroken that something so awful could happen to someone so amazing, young, and healthy.  Thank you JZ! 

Dr.  Z will be missed tremendously at Pineville ER.  He was a great physician who had a compassion for helping others.  He was a jewel and everyone who worked with him loved him. I will continue to keep his family in my prayers 

JZ was a great doctor and amazing person. The world lost someone truly special. Many condolences to the family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. 

To the family members of Jonathan Zygowiec, please accept sincere condolences from my entire household as you grieve the loss of your dear loved one Jonathan.   May the peace of god surround You.  Sincere condolences once again.   Yvette

OBITUARY

Jonathan "JZ" Peter Zygowiec

July 14, 1982 – June 29, 2023

McEwen Funeral Service-Pineville Chapel

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