Local Families, Faces Encompass Generations Of Community Spirit

Keeping the fishing industry afloat on our East End was Wayne Zimmerman’s destiny. Even though his Indiana birthplace was far from any big oceans, he knew his calling was to do the essential work of keeping ocean-going vessels moving, using his natural talents in marine servicing.

After 4 years of service and experience with a full range of ships in the Navy during World War II, the pull of the Atlantic Ocean was strongest. So, a move to Springs Fireplace Road in East Hampton seemed best, as did Wayne’s marriage to Betty Jean Baker in 1944.

His first local training was at Sid Cullum’s, the top East Hampton machine shop at the time. But Zimmerman needed to work for himself, so he began working out of his own home and opened “Zimmerman Marine Sales and Service” at 200 Springs Fireplace Road. His reputation as a passionate expert in marine engine servicing skyrocketed, especially on the Montauk waterfront, where he was the go-to guy for boats and captains including Richard Rade’s “Marlin”, Freddie Bird’s “Flying Cloud”, Doug McCabe’s “The Frances Anne”, Dave Kohlus’s “The Hooker”, and George Glass’s “Hellcat”.

Probably Zimmerman's favorite account was the work he did for his lifelong friend Captain Paul Forsberg’s “Viking Fleet”. According to Forsberg, his own nickname was “Fuzzy”, and Zimmerman was “Zimmy”. He also reported that Zimmerman “never said a 4-letter word. Instead, when he was upset, it was “Jiminy” — except in extreme cases, when he's utter “Jiminy Christmas”

Not only did Zimmerman's wife Betty bear their only child Carol, but Carol also was official bookkeeper for Zimmerman Marine. In 1952 Carol’s choice of John Griffiths to be her husband, kept the family passion for the local community going.

When he was just a senior in high school, he joined the Amagansett Fire Department, then moved on to the East Hampton Fire Department, where he achieved ranks of Lieutenant and Captain of Company No. 1. His total service spanned 38 years.

Carol has carried on the tradition of working local since her father Wayne Zimmerman passed in 1981 — for Bridgehampton National Bank, and for The Retreat.

The daughter of Carol and John, Jillian “Jill” Griffiths, also has community spirit in her blood. Besides having volunteered for The Retreat, the Bridgehampton Community Center, Girl Scouts, D.A.R.E., and Springs Fire Department, where Grandpa Wayne had worked on the Department’s first firetruck, Jill’s entrepreneurial spirit has inspired her to establish “Griffiths Property Management”, which takes care of local homes year round.

The generation to generation caring and passion for our beloved East End are what makes the area special. The Zimmerman/Griffiths are a perfect example.

Patch courtesy photo.

Story by Richard Lewin.