Obituaries

Morand Zimmer, March 3, 2017 Age 91. Husband of the late Estelle. Dear father of John Zimmer, Louise Treat (Richard), Fr. Eric Zimmer, Madeleine Vaughan (Ben) and the late Tom. Beloved grandfather of Brendan, Maura, Teagan and the late Leah.

A native of Thamesville, Ontario, Canada, he was born and raised on the family farm. His parents, Albert (a.k.a. Bertie) and Josephine bore four children, Cosmos (a.k.a. Carl), Albert (a.k.a. Desmond), Morand, and Barbara, with the sons surviving until adulthood. A veteran of World War II, he served with the Royal Canadian Air Force as a radio gunner. Morand studied art in Toronto after the war as a benefit of the G.I. Bill. and worked as a letterer for an advertising firm for a short time. In 1950 he took a job designing automotive interiors for Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn and worked there until his retirement in 1987. In that time he worked on many models, including the original Continental Mark and numerous trucks, including the Ranger. His work as an artist showed in his love of painting, particularly watercolor landscapes and later experimentation with acrylics.

In 1953 he met Estelle Lefebvre while they were singing in the Windsor Light Opera Company and in 1955 they were married. They moved to Redford, MI and in 1955 he became a naturalized U.S. citizen.

They raised five children in Our Lady of Grace parish (Dearborn Heights), emphasizing their Catholic faith, the parish community, Catholic schools, and concern for others. Morand offered his services as an artist to many activities and was a great resource to his children on school art projects. He was a true Renaissance man. In addition to his artwork, he played multiple musical instruments, including the piano, guitar, and organ. He studied voice for many years and lent his voice to the choirs of Our Lady of Grace, of Saint Valentine, and of Saint Mary of Redford Catholic churches, as well as the Plymouth Community Choir. He would often perform solos for these choirs. Morand and Estelle also had a musical group that would sing at homes for the elderly and at convalescent homes—The Offbeats.

He was justly famous for his Corn Roasts. The Offbeats would join together each August for an exhilarating Corn Roast at the Zimmers. Roasting fresh picked sweet corn over coals and eating potluck from a variety of ethnic groups, the evening would conclude with a great sing along around the piano.

Morand loved to travel and to enjoy interesting food. He traveled with Estelle to Nepal to visit their son, Eric, who was a missionary in Kathmandu. They traveled to Singapore, Mexico, Korea, Ireland, Japan, Hong Kong, Italy (to sing for the Pope), England (for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II), and to France to see family. He was always game to try new and exotic food and, when in Korea, even tried Bird's Nest Soup (made from a real bird's nest!). It was fortunate for him that Estelle was herself an excellent cook who leveraged the variety of culinary traditions in their parish to bring many and varied dishes to the family table. Upon the passing of Estelle he took it upon himself to continue her culinary distinction.

In his retirement, in addition to travel, Morand loved to restore fine furniture. Family and friends have numerous pieces that he restored beautifully. He would reimagine pieces of art into new visions as well, including once taking stained glass and creating a beautiful set of wrought iron and stained glass dining tables. His eye was impeccable and he regularly worked with new patterns and colors to great effect.

His love of his family, gentleness, humor, good taste, and many talents will be sorely missed.

Family will receive friends Tuesday 4:00-8:00pm with Rosary at 7:00pm at A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward (btwn 13-14 Mile), Royal Oak.

Funeral Mass Wednesday 10:00am at National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica (Woodward at 12 Mile Rd.), Royal Oak. Visitation at church begins at 9:30am.

Memorial tributes to St. Patrick's Catholic Church, c/o Fr. Eric Zimmer, 807 Tyler St., Walkerton, IN 46574