East Longmeadow- Ronald was born February 3, 1927 to Yvonne and Herbert Zimmerman. He is predeceased by brothers, Raymond, Eugene, and John. Ron worked for a time with his Father and brothers in the family business, "H. Zimmerman and Sons" a heating a plumbing business. They grew up on Dineen Street in the Hungry Hill section of Springfield, where his Irish shenanigans began. He was a lifetime member of the John Boyle O'Reilly Club. Later the family moved to Longmeadow. Ron was a member of American Legion Post 293, East Longmeadow. Ron was famous for harassing the nuns at Our Lady of Hope School in Springfield. He attended Springfield Technical High School, making lifelong deep friendships. He played football for the Tech Tigers leaving in the 11th grade to serve during WWII as a Sea Bee in the Navy Construction Battalion. He sailed on a liberty ship from Pearl Harbor to Tinian in the Mariana Islands in 1945; where he extended the runaway for the Enola Gay. While stationed in Guam, he named his truck the "Hungry Hill Special". He later played tackle in the late 1940s with the Springfield Acorns part of the New England Football Conference. His best friend was Dan Manning. They delivered ice together for Liberty Ice when they were young teenagers. Danny also played football with the Acorns. They remained close friends over the years. He started working for the Sprinkler Fitters Local 676 in 1966 (which then became Local 669). He became the business manager for Local Union 676 in the 1970s serving in this position for 9 years. He leaves his wife Margaret (Dunn) of 69 years. He is survived by his children, Anne Midura, her husband John, of Longmeadow, Ellen of Chicopee, Meg of Rockland, Ronnie of East Longmeadow, MaryLou of Butte, Montana, and Carol and her husband Michael Downie of East Longmeadow. Grandchildren Kathleen (Midura) Drzewianowski, Michael Midura, Hannah Zimmerman, and Sarah and Jack Downie. Great grandchildren Emily and Matthew Drzwianowski, and Greyson and Carter Midura. Ron was always quick with a joke and a helping hand. He helped numerous people fix their plumbing, add on to their house, or fix a car. He had a passion for old cars and collected and restored antique automobiles. Including a 1938 Chevy pickup, his pride and joy, proudly painted to match the truck his Dad had in his heating business years before. Ron received in home care for 3 years. Special thanks to Maria Tavares, Kristeen Noyes, and Liz for their exceptional care and friendship of Ron. Visiting hours will be held 11:30am-1:00pm Thursday, April 25, 2019 at Sampson's Chapel of the Acres, 21 Tinkham Rd, Springfield MA 01129, with a service to follow at Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main St, Agawam MA 01001, at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ron's name to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital (StJudes.org) or Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (nmcrs.org). Ron was loved and will be missed by many.