Edward (Ed) Murray Zimmerman

Edward (Ed) Murray Zimmerman

Peter & Lena farmed in the Marco area. They had 3 children: Jessie, Louise & Anton. Lena passed away in 1928 and in 1929, Peter married Dora Hersack who had lost her husband and was left with 2 children: Ann & Mike.  Peter & Dora had 4 more children: Stanley, Marilyn, Edward (was born on December 15, 1934) & Edwin. Now we had, yours mine and ours.

Edward attended, Ruska Rawa_School, which was located West of Marco. Edward then left for Calgary, to experience city life. Ed married Vivian Moore (his first wife) in 1956 and they lived in Calgary where they raised 2 children: daughter Tracey Lee and son Michael Jay. Ed started his own business, a Courier Company called Royal Express Ltd. Ed then established Solar X, a Window Tinting Company which he owned and was the C.E.O for many years. Ed’s next Salesman job was for UNICON where he excelled and was the “Top Salesman” which earned him many huge bonuses as well as awards. Ed was very successful because of his work ethics, and he was a super salesman!

Ed was a "True Blue" Tory and while in Calgary he campaigned for Peter Lougheed, who was Premier of Alberta from 1971 to 1985. Ed enjoyed being involved in our local politics when he moved back to Rossburn in 2006. His Rural Roots brought him back to where he was born, to enjoy his family and the good country living.

Ed became involved in different organizations when he and Diane (his second wife) moved here. Ed was a member of the Community Church, he joined the Lions Club, to which he devoted many volunteer hours with the Club. He was Chairman for the Rossburn Senior Resource Council, the Handi-Van Board. Ed was a member of Age Friendly, the Garden Club and Parkland Ukrainian Pioneer Association.

He was tickled pink when he took on the job of the “MAN” in charge of our Beautification Program. The Garden Club ladies planted the flowers and Ed took on the task of keeping them watered, happy and healthy, touching base with Twin Valley Co-Op, who donated the fertilizer for Ed to use. Slowly Ed started mowing and maintaining the Edible Fruit Park, the Queen Elizabeth Park, watering all the hanging baskets at the Memory Park. He also kept busy in summer picking the litter and leaves, and in the winter putting de-icer on the icy spots on our sidewalks. He soon became grounds keeper at the Mass Grave Site, because all the trees and shrubs needed some TLC. What started out a part time job became full time and then some, with Ed doing what he loved most, beautifying our community.

The Municipality asked Ed IF he would like to become the keeper of the KEY at the Landfill. This meant 2 afternoons and 1 morning, plus this year another afternoon was added to his time sheet. Ed was there to greet everyone who brought their waste to the landfill. He loved this job too, as it gave him an opportunity to make new friends as well as seeing the regular ones. Ed worked hard but never complained. Some would tell him he was too old, and he was taking away jobs that kids should do. This certainly was painful for Ed to hear. The other side of the coin, was the many compliments as to what an awesome job he was doing which helped Ed continue doing what he enjoyed. His workday started at 5 AM while everyone else was still sleeping. He wanted to get all the Main Street looked after, before the businesses opened.

Ed was a hard worker, who loved his job, believing that it was important to do it right, and be proud of it. He was very caring and dedicated to his job even though this was all just a labor of love.

Ed loved his family, his friends and this community of Rossburn. He very much believed in God and he could quote you any passage from the Bible. In his well used Bible, he has marked many passages as he lived his life, knowing that there was a higher power, whom he trusted with all his heart and soul.

This community has lost a very special man, who can never be replaced. He was a super friend to many, and yes, he did enjoy a glass of red wine or a scotch on the rocks, as he talked politics, but the knowledge and experience he had to share was always enlightening. Ed's passion for life, to do well, to make Rossburn a beautiful place to live in, as well as keeping us on the map was all he ever wanted.

Edward is survived by: Son - Mike & wife Mia Zimmerman of Calgary, Alta and Daughter Tracey Lee & husband Rob Tullis, grandson – Makai Tullis, Brother Mike Hersack of Rossburn, Sister-in-law Lorna (Edwin) Zimmerman of Brandon and sister-in-law Ollie (Stan) Zimmerman of Lethbridge, Alberta. As well as many nieces and nephews, and friends.

Rest in peace Edward in God’s beautiful flower garden.