'Greatest Man We Have Ever Known' Midshipman Called by Teammates

Classmates and football team members at the U.S. Naval Academy recalled Justin Zemser as a smart student with goals to one day be an elite Navy Seal, a selfless man with energy who urged others to “enjoy this incredible life.”

Zemser, 20, was traveling home Tuesday to Rockaway Beach, NY, at the end of his sophomore year at the academy in Annapolis. He was one of eight people killed in the horrific Amtrak train crash in Philadelphia that injured more than 200 passengers.

Related Story: Midshipman Eulogized as Humble, Loving and Caring

The midshipman’s football teammates gathered on the field to commemorate their friend, and later wrote a message to his parents, who lost their only child.

“Your son was the greatest man we’ve ever known, with his contagious smile, dedication, and passion for life that changed all of us,” the midshipmen wrote on Facebook. “You and Mr. “Z” may have lost a son, but we hope that you’ll be willing to adopt 64 more... We are always with you and no matter the circumstances, you will always be family...”

Susan Zemser read a brief statement to reporters Wednesday about her son, then asked for privacy.

“He was a loving son, nephew and cousin, who was very community-minded,” his mother said.“This tragedy has shocked us all in the worst way and we wish to spend this time grieving with our close family and friends.”

His Naval Academy roommate, Brandon Teel, told CNN that Zemser was like his brother and “a phenomenal human being” who made him better.

“We made each other better. Just his desire to constantly get better -- he wanted to better himself, he wanted to better this country,” Teel told the network. “He cared so much. I think that’s what really defined him.”

Vice Adm. Walter “Ted” Carter extended his sympathies to the Zemser family Thursday, FOX DC reports, and noted the midshipman was a talented and respected young man with a bright future.

The English major and academic honor student was a wide receiver for the Navy Sprint football team, the Jewish Midshipman Club and the Semper Fi Society.

“I had the opportunity to talk to his father Harold and his mother Susan,” Carter said. “I had a chance to express my personal condolences on behalf of the brigade of midshipman. And I reminded them that the legacy of this young man - Midshipman 3rd Class Justin Zemser - will never be forgotten by the brigade and that the Zemser family will forever be a part of our United States Naval Academy family.”

The Navy Athletics Facebook page said the community “is devastated by the news that sophomore Justin Zemser died in the tragic Amtrak derailment in Philadelphia on Tuesday night. Zemser was a wide receiver and long snapper on the sprint football team. Please keep his family, friends and teammates in your thoughts and prayers.”

SEE ALSO: Towson Businessman Among Dead from Amtrak Derailment

Sixth Fatal Victim From Amtrak Crash Identified

The Navy Sprint team posted a message to Zemser’s mother on Facebook:

Dearest Mrs. Zemser,
_
On behalf of Navy Sprint Football, we want to provide our deepest condolences for the loss of your son, Justin. We know he was an only child, but I assure you that Justin had 64 brothers... These past two days of grieving have been filled with many tears, but more importantly, they’ve been filled with a dialogue of Justin’s impact on each and every one of us... Below is a picture of the team on Wednesday when we got the tragic news about Justin’s passing where we went to the place we knew he loved, the football field... We spent the day together as a family because no one had a shortage of happy stories to tell about “Z“. Last night at one of our gatherings, #34 Nick Abramson, one of Justin’s closest friends, stated, “Z was the kind of guy who pushed you to be better. He set the example himself and he made everyone around him strive to be better, whether that be the classroom, the weight room, or just in life. I want you to know that you’ll always be my brother Z...”

Justin was the kind of guy who was excellent in all that he did. He was the Valedictorian and Student Body President of his High School, Channel View, of Far Rockaway, New York. Just years later, he held a 4.0 GPA after two years at the United States Naval Academy. He exceptionally embodied the mission of the Academy and was a near perfectionist in the “moral, mental, and physical” development that USNA disciplines. He was an aspiring ‘Navy Seal’...
_
Many have mentioned that they wouldn’t have made it through this place if it wasn’t for Justin and that his selflessness to help those who required it was simply routine. Another close friend, #74 Ross Ghilchriest, added, “The love that we shared with Z was such a powerful energy that I’m not sure it can ever be replaced. But energy is neither created nor destroyed, it merely changes form. The compassion, selflessness, and friendship that Z shared with all of us is not dead -- it lives in our memory; and Z is not gone -- he is with God. Though the pain may never leave us, I know Z never will.”

#9 Dylan Walsh, also added, “There was something about Justin that we all just loved and even now, he still feels very alive in each of us. Justin was a leader, mentor, and inspiration to all of us and we all feel so honored to have been friends with such an incredible human being. I have no doubt that God has gained an angel and that our brother “Z” will continue to watch over us and guide us, forever.”

CNN and the countless media outlets that have bombarded the front gates of USNA these past couple days have all been searching for more background on an individual who lived such a prominent life. However, I know that as Justin looks down on us now, he wouldn’t care about all that, instead focusing on how we live, why we live, and the manner in which we live.

The quote he shared with many of us perfectly captures the way he wanted all of us to go about living; “Life is like a crazy roller coaster, full of ups and downs. You never see someone sad after they get off and that is similar to life. Everyday we have the opportunity to either hop on or stand to the side and watch everyone else enjoy the ride... So we might as well hop on and enjoy this incredible life...” - Justin Zemser
--
Your son was the greatest man we’ve ever known, with his contagious smile, dedication, and passion for life that changed all of us. You and Mr. “Z” may have lost a son, but we hope that you’ll be willing to adopt 64 more... We are always with you and no matter the circumstances, you will always be family...
--
We love you!
--
RIP, Brother: March 25, 1995 - May 12, 2015