Reinhold Manfred Zickmann

WORCESTER - Reinhold Manfred Zickmann, 88, locally known as “Ziggy”, died abruptly on Thursday, October, 19, 2017, having survived two previous cancers, at UMass Memorial Healthcare-University Campus, Worcester.  He was born on December 12, 1928 in Heidersdorf im Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany.He is survived by his son, Steven Reinhold Zickmann and his wife Susan Linette (Thomas) Zickmann of Lebanon, CT; his sister, Elfriede Lehmann of Freiberg, Germany; his brother, Gottfried Zickmann, also of Freiberg; his grandchildren, Fay Svenja Sarah (Zickmann) of Karlsruhe, Germany, and Gabriella Corinne and Zachary Thomas Zickmann both of Connecticut; and nephew Joerg Lehmann of Germany.Young Reinhold was drafted into a desperate german WWII effort at approximately 16 years of age, while his father was already in the field.  The war ended before Reinhold would see combat.  Escaping communist Germany, he settled in Hattorf am Harz and worked with a team of horses logging wood from the local forest.  Later, he found there were much better earnings in a casting foundry. In Hattorf he met his wife Waltraud Emma Antonia (Gmeiner).  The families encouraged the young couple to move to Worcester, Massachussetts where Waltraud’s sister Theresa, was already living. The couple learned English as they went.   “Ziggy”, as his friends and co-workers knew him, worked in production for several companies including Dapol Plastics, Table Talk Pie, Polar Beverages, ComePlay in Worcester.  He later worked as an industrial mechanic for Reed Plastics in Holden and most recently, Industrial Polymer Co., in Shrewsbury.  He enjoyed carpentry, having built most of his house from the foundation up and several outbuildings, as well. He also enjoyed gardening, fishing, boating, traveling and feeding the birds in his back yard with his cat “The Bum” in his lap, while chasing off the chirpy chipmunks. In recent years, he especially enjoyed socializing with his friends at Dunkin Donuts, Steve’s Pizza, the Gold Star Diner, the Blue Plate and others.  Although he never wanted to burden his family with any troubles, his was especially proud of his grandchildren Fay, Gabby and Zack.Burial will be private.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Cancer Research Institute in NYC (CancerResearch.org, 800-992-2623).  To share a memory or offer an online condolence; visit our “Guest Book” here on this page.