WALTER ZIMICH

Walter Zimich, of the Newtown section of Hanover Township, passed away Tuesday morning , Aug. 7, 2018, at Celtic Hospice, following his courageous battle against cancer. 

Born July 28, 1930 in the Buttonwood section of Hanover Township, he was the son of the late Thomas and Anna Kostrowski Zimich. 

He graduated from Hanover High School and served in the U.S. Army, during the Korean Conflict. At Hanover he was the initial District 2 PIAA golf champion in 1948, winning that crown at the Fox Hill Country Club. 

Walter was an outstanding golfer and played against many topnotch professional golfers in the Metropolitan Open, that featured pros from the New York and New Jersey sections. 

He bested Masters champ and PGA pro Art Wall Jr. and other pros in winning one of the Anthracite Opens, played at Irem Temple Country Club. 

The Zimich brothers, Tom, Walter, Peter, John and Michael, all were introduced to the game of golf, as caddies at the Wyoming Valley Country Club. . 

Later in his career, Walter became a golf course superintendent, serving in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. For several years, he was head golf course superintendent at the Wilkes-Barre Municipal Golf Course. Even during his retirement, he worked part time at Blue Ridge Country Club. 

He was a member of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, VFW and Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. 

His beloved wife, Ellen, died in December of 2016. Also preceding him in death were a sister, Helen, and brothers Peter and Michael Zimich. 

Surviving are brothers, Thomas (Wife Rita) and John (Wife Irene) numerous nieces and nephews and his faithful companion Logan Golden Retriever. 

The family would like to thank caregivers Debbie, Nancy, Gloria and Becky along with nurses and aides at Celtic Hospital, Sacred Heart Hospice and Wesley Village for their compassion and care for Walter during his illness. 

Special thanks also to his loving neighbors Mike, Katie and Hannah Pugh. 

Funeral will be held from the Lehman Family Funeral Service, 689 Hazle Ave., Wilkes-Barre, Friday morning, August 10, 2018, at 9:30 with a Requiem Mass at 10 in St. Bellarmine Parish (St. Al's) Wilkes-Barre. Interment will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Hanover Township. 

Friends may call Thursday, August 9, 2018, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home and on Friday, August 10, 2018 from 9:00 am until time of service.

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