Obituary of Joseph Lewis Zimmerman

Joseph Lewis Zimmerman, 81, of State College, died on Thursday, August 6, 2015 at his residence. Born on January 4, 1934 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, he was the son of the late Joseph E. and Ellen Quinn Zimmerman. On January 28, 1956 he married Claire E. Paitakes who survives. Also surviving are two children, Joseph R. Zimmerman and his wife, Carleen, of Liberty Township, OH and Bethanne Woodhouse and her husband, Charlie, of State College; three sisters, Barbara Zimmerman of Indian Land, SC, Mary Joan Chyb of North Brunswick, NJ and Claire Johnson of Hudson, FL; six grandchildren, Jason and Brandon Zimmerman, Jerry Jr., Cameron and Cassie French and Tara Burkholder; one great-granddaughter, Rayden Zimmerman. He was a graduate of St. Peter’s High School in 1951. Joe served in the United States Navy for 2 ½ years during the Korean War, where he was stationed in the European Theater as a staff electrician E.M.3. He was discharged in November of 1954. Upon his return from the Navy, his initial aspiration was to work in the field of law enforcement. He began his career as a patrol officer for the New Brunswick Police Department in August of 1956 and served the community for 8 years. Joe’s main concern was to always improve the quality of life for his family. He was oftentimes found working numerous jobs at the same time and even took a risk by branching out into the life of an entrepreneur. He became the private owner of Rosie’s Sand Bar in Seaside Park, NJ, and was an independent cab owner for Victory Cab in New Brunswick, NJ. In 1970 he returned to his passion of law enforcement by joining the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office as an Investigator. In his 22 years in the Prosecutors Office, he worked his way up the ranks from Detective in 1972, Sergeant in 1981, Lieutenant in 1984, and finally to Captain in 1988. During his tenure, he provided supervision in various divisions which included Juvenile, Sex Crimes, Bias, Fugitive, and Victim Witness Units. He worked as a member and Supervisor of the Major Crimes Unit, and as a negotiator and Commander of the Middlesex County Hostage Recovery Team. In 1972, Joe graduated from the National Center of Polygraph Science, becoming one of Middlesex County’s premier polygraph examiners. He was responsible for numerous confessions in homicide cases. Joe was a member of many law enforcement associations that included the following: President and Vice President of New Jersey Polygraphists Association, Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office P.B.A. Lodge #214, and Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office F.O.P. Lodge # 41. Upon Joe’s retirement in 1993, he and his wife Claire spent 14 years in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where he enjoyed golf, travel, warm weather, the beach, and quality time with his family. Visitation will be 2 until 4 p.m. and 6 until 8 p.m., on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at Gleason Funeral Home, 1360 Hamilton Street, Somerset, NJ. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 94 Somerset St, New Brunswick, NJ, with the Reverend Jeffrey Calia officiating. Burial will be in Franklin Memorial Park, North Brunswick Township, NJ. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 15120 Chicago, IL 60693. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.