Obituary of Joseph Zimmerman
The family of Joseph John Zimmerman of Melville, beloved husband of Mary Zimmerman sadly announce his passing on Thursday, August 28, 2025. Joe was 96 years of age.
There will be no service at this time.
Joe was born on the family farm near Roche Percee, Saskatchewan on February 12, 1929. He passed away peacefully at the age of 96 on August 28, 2025, in Melville, Saskatchewan.
Joe left school early to work in the mines. We always suspected this was code for something, but he never gave up the secret of what he was really doing. He kept a photo of his 1957 Cadillac in his wallet until the day he died. He had a brief flirtation with a motorcycle that did not last, which contributed greatly to staying alive for close to a century. He worked as a long-haul trucker, where he inspired the Johnny Cash song, “I’ve been everywhere.” He worked as a heavy equipment mechanic and as car mechanic. He worked as a manager in the trucking industry back in the days when he was required to sport a 6” wide tie and a ridiculous toupee, because that was the style at the time.
On April 8, 1967 Joe was united in marriage to Mary Taschuk at St. Henry’s Roman Catholic Church in Melville and were blessed with two children. He took his responsibilities as a father very seriously, teaching the importance of hard work, saving money, and using the right tool for the right job. He swore that Midas Mufflers stole the slogan, “First you get good, then you get fast” from him. This phrase was a guiding principle of his work life and his mentoring of the many employees he trained after opening a Robin’s Donuts franchise. In 1991, Joe and Mary officially became “snowbirds,” ditching the Canadian winters for the cheap Mexican vanilla and abundance of sunshine that could be found in Mesa, Arizona. When US health insurance become prohibitively expensive, they bunkered down for the long haul in Melville with a snowblower for winter, a tiller for summer, and a long list of home improvement projects. He had a green thumb in the garden and as a Jack-of-all trades there was nothing he could not fix or build.
Joe spent the last 3 months of his life in the excellent care of the staff at the Bethany wing of St. Paul Lutheran Nursing Home. Despite the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s disease, he continued to recognize his wife until the end.
He was predeceased by his parents, Linus and Katherine; his sister, Kay Mack, and brothers Louis and Lin. The long list of people who will mourn his passing include his beloved wife of 58 years, Mary; his daughter, Corinne (Steve) in Westbury-on-Severn, UK and son, Colin of Regina; his sister Francis Zimmerman of Regina and two brothers Ralph (Sally) and Dominick of Las Vegas, NV; and numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.
Aarangements have been entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home, Melville.
