DOVER - Michael Zimmerman, high-flying visionary spirit and one of Delaware's native sons, parted this life Friday, Jan. 30, 2015. Mike did not go quietly. Like his father before him he was friend and foe to many; he spoke his mind, he made his mark, and we will continue to feel the prudence of his vision well into the future. Devoted husband, father, brother, son, and trusted friend; Mike was the son of Maureen and the late Jake Zimmerman, former State Senator and farmer. Born on April 2, 1957 in Dover, Mike was one of seven children raised on potatoes, politics and Hail Mary's. Mike grew up on the family farm, 500 acres east of Dover on South Little Creek Road, with brothers and sisters Robert Zimmerman, Patricia Zimmerman, Claudia Zimmerman, the late Thomas Zimmerman, Teresa Z. Mraz, and Jamie Zimmerman. Mike's passions for golf and business 'smarts' were sparked early in his youth, both on the greens and in the card room of Maple Dale Country Club. He was successful, playing competitively while attending Holy Cross and Dover High School. Mike played golf and earned B.S. and B.B.A. degrees at James Madison University, where he met Connie Jo, his wife and co-pilot. He and Connie married in 1979 and together raised two children: Thomas and Rebecca Zimmerman. Mike was so very proud of their accomplishments: Thomas attained a law degree from Villanova, and currently works in Harrisburg, PA as an advocate for students throughout the Commonwealth; Rebecca earned her degree in historic preservation and community planning from College of Charleston and works for the City of Charleston as a project coordinator for commercial and residential development. Calling many places on the east coast home from Florida to the Carolinas, the family returned to Delaware in the early 90's. Together Mike and Connie formed BBC Properties, Inc., focusing on commercial properties. Mike steered BBC Properties to form a solid, mixed portfolio that included apartments, dormitories, hotels, mini-storage facilities, office buildings, neighborhood shopping centers, and drugstores on the eastern shore of Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, as well as a marina in Florida. In addition, he took on the challenge of renovating buildings with historical significance. Mike's creative vision leaves an indelible impression on Delaware through the many projects he brought to fruition, often marked with his signature 'Z.' As a developer, Mike had that rare combination of foresight, a good imagination, and the drive to get things done. He received recognition and numerous awards for economic development, historic preservation, and community service. Mike was a generous, kind-hearted person. Known affectionately as "Z-man," or simply "Z," he accomplished wonderful things for his friends and for the community as a whole. Mike tackled revitalization projects in downtown Dover that no one else would touch; he quietly gave to local charities and organizations, and donated towards a large animal rescue facility, a teaching facility at Maple Dale Country Club, Special Olympics trips, and the Inner City Cultural League, among several others. Notorious for his dry sense of humor and eccentric taste, Mike had a great white shark mounted nose-down above his office desk. An avid sport fisherman, Mike traveled to fish Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Venezuela, the Caribbean and waters off Florida and the Bahamas. He was a voracious reader with a massive collection of historical books – favoring tales of pirates, politics, and great men that made a difference in their time. Mike always had a song in his heart, and shared that passion with his children. From the concerts he attended with his family, to the song lyrics he would trade with his daughter, he truly had a rock and roll soul. "If you can dream-and not make dreams your master; If you can think-and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with triumph and disaster; And treat those two impostors just the same…" Rudyard Kipling Mike's parting creates a void that not many men could ever dream of filling. He is deeply missed. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to The First Tee (thefirsttee.org) or to the charity of your choosing. A public service will be held 1:30-2:30 p.m. Wednesday Feb. 4, 2015 at Torbert Funeral Chapels, 1145 E. Lebanon Rd., Dover, DE 19901. Letters of condolences may be sent and guest book signed at www.torbertfuneral.com.