Peter Zimmerman

Peter Zimmerman, of Hudson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 20, 2025. He was born on a chilly Boston January day in 1940, the son of the late Joe and Evelyn (Teperow) Zimmerman.

Peter met the love of his life, Ellen Shafran, on a blind date in 1964. The two were married in June of 1965 and went on to share more than six decades together. Peter was a proud graduate of both the undergraduate and law programs at Boston University. During his final year in law school, Peter became one of the original Roxbury Defenders.

Peter and Ellen raised their two children, Susan (Olshanski) and Michael Zimmerman, in Framingham. A devoted father, he welcomed his children’s friends with open arms and a “funny” joke, making their home the neighborhood gathering place. He was always present at Susan’s field hockey games, and never far from the sidelines of Michael’s soccer games and countless tennis matches.  When Susan married her husband, David and Michael married his wife, Ali, Peter instantly felt like he gained two amazing new children.  He cherished his role as “Zaydie” to his four grandchildren—George, Rachel, Stella, and Gordon—who brought him endless joy.

Peter shared a lifelong closeness with his brother Paul, Paul’s wife Barbara, and their children, Eric and Robin. They traveled together, celebrated holidays side by side, and helped raise each other’s families.

Growing up in a close-knit neighborhood in Mattapan, Peter cultivated his lifelong passion for Boston sports. As a boy, he snuck into Boston Braves games before their move to Milwaukee, and he later became a diehard Red Sox fan. He was an original season ticket holder of the Boston Patriots and, according to family lore, co-created the legendary Celtics “Beat LA” chant.

Peter found joy and companionship on the golf course, where he spent countless cherished hours. As a longtime member of Nashawtuc Country Club, he deeply valued the enduring friendships and camaraderie that grew from years of play.

A graveside service will be held at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham Street, Sharon, MA on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 12:45 p.m.

The family will be sitting Shiva on Thursday from 6pm-8pm and Friday from 10am-3pm at the Landing at Sauta Farms, located between 20 and 22 Hummock Way, Hudson, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Peter’s memory may be made to: Better Day, 195 Reservoir St., Marlborough, MA 01752 and/or Good Shepherd Community Care, 160 Wells Ave., Newton, MA  02459