Jervis S. Zimmerman

1922 - 2022

Jervis S. Zimmerman
The Rev. Canon Jervis S. (Jerry) Zimmerman died February 27 at Seabury Retirement Community in Bloomfield, CT at the age of 99; in accordance with his wishes, his body was donated to the University of Connecticut Medical School.
Ordained to the Episcopal priesthood in 1953, Jerry served as rector of Christ Church, West Haven (now Church of the Holy Spirit) for 13 years. He was on the staff of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut from 1967 to 1983, first as director of Episcopal Social Services, Bridgeport, and later with diocesan responsibility for clergy deployment, in Hartford. Following his retirement in 1983, he served an additional 24 years as a supply priest in the diocese. His knowledge of the history and staffing of the diocese's 160 parishes was encyclopedic.
Prior to ordination to the Episcopal priesthood, Jerry ministered eight years in the Presbyterian Church in Illinois. In 1949, he came to Connecticut to be the chaplain at Norwich State Hospital. Born August 29, 1922, to Jacob and Ethel Zimmerman of Harvey, Illinois, he was the second of their two sons. He earned degrees from the University of Illinois, McCormick Theological Seminary, and the University of Chicago.
He married Eleanore (Hubbell) Zimmerman, who died in 2003, in 1951. Their children, Sarah (Sally), John and Paul survive him, along with their families, Sally's husband Allen Olsen, John's wife Marlys Jarstfer, and Paul's partner, Betty Plumley. He is survived by a grandson, Andrew Olsen, and Andrew's partner Amy Wipfler. His grandson Christopher Olsen predeceased him.
Jerry loved singing, The New Yorker, cashews, nonpareil chocolates, pancakes, roses, a daily swim, and a good laugh. He was a devoted world traveler and he and Eleanore traveled extensively across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the U.S. In retirement, they lived in Glastonbury and Madison, CT. In 2012, Jerry published An Embattled Priest: The Life of Father Oliver Sherman Prescott, a 19th century Episcopal priest noted for having been tried four times as a heretic between 1850-1852 and the one-time rector of Jerry's first parish.
A Eucharist in celebration and thanksgiving for the life of Jervis Zimmerman will take place at Christ Church Cathedral, 45 Church Street, Hartford at 11:00 AM, Saturday, March 12. In keeping with Cathedral COVID protocols no food or refreshments will be served. Participants should be feeling healthy and be fever-free. Facemasks or cloth coverings must be worn always by everyone and will be available for walk-ins. Parking is available on the streets and at the MAT Garage, 55 Chapel Street South. MAT parking tickets will be validated at the Cathedral.
Gifts in Rev. Zimmerman's memory may be made to the Society for the Increase of the Ministry, at https://simministry.org/, or The Society for the Increase of the Ministry P.O. Box 21557 New York, NY 10087-1557.