Former Fayette County controller dies of pneumonia
Former Fayette County controller Edward T. Zimmerman, who served four terms ending in 1987, died of pneumonia Wednesday in a nursing home where he spent the final months of his life, said his daughter Joan Zavage. Zimmerman, 81, served as county controller from 1972 through the end of 1987, the year he was defeated by fewer than 1,000 votes in the Democratic primary by former controller Harry J. Fike.
Prior to holding elected office, Zimmerman spent two years as Fayette County’s chief detective. The World War II Navy veteran also worked 18 years as an FBI agent.
“He was in really good health up until about a year and a half ago. He had a major stroke that left him blind and paralyzed on one side,” said Zavage, who lives in Carmichaels. “He had to go into a nursing home. It kind of went downhill until he got pneumonia and passed away.
“I think it was a kind of blessing. He had done everything for himself and it was hard to see him not able to get around.”
Zavage said that after his retirement, Zimmerman, who lived in Bethelboro, enjoyed his vacation home in the mountains near Deer Lake. She said he also belonged to several organizations, such as the AMVETS and the Knights of Columbus, and spent time with those associates as well.
“He went out with his friends. He liked to hunt, although I don’t think he did that in the last few years (before he fell ill),” said Zavage, who noted that he also was proud of his four grandchildren.
Although Zimmerman was mum about his war experience for many years, his daughter said he became more open about that topic in recent times. He served with the Navy Amphibious Corps during the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
“When he first went into the nursing home, he talked a lot about the war. But when I was growing up, he never discussed that,” she said.
Zavage added, “He accomplished a lot, from the (military) service to FBI and then controller. He was proud of his accomplishments and we are too.” She said that he looked “very good” on his 80th birthday.
Regarding Zimmerman’s political contemporaries, Zavage said, “Fred Lebder and him go back a long time.”
The current Democratic Party chairman could not be reached for comment.
In addition to his daughter and her husband, Michael, Zimmerman is survived by four grandchildren, two sisters and a brother. Zimmerman earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Vincent College in 1950 and was a FBI agent from 1950 through 1968, the year he became chief county detective.
He won election as controller in 1971 and held the position for 16 years.
Friends will be received in the Donald R. Crawford Funeral Home in Hopwood today from 1 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., and Saturday until 9:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. in St. Joan of Arc R.C. Church in Farmington.
The Rev. Fr. Paul Whalen will serve as celebrant. Interment will follow in Green Ridge Memorial Park. AMVETS Post No. 103 will conduct military services at the gravesite.