WINDSOR, VT
Jack Zoerheide, 93, a resident of Windsor, passed away Friday morning, March 2, 2018 at the Springfield Health and Rehabilitation Center in Springfield, VT following a long illness. Predeceased by his wife, Marie and seven siblings, Holly, Donald, Norma, Robert, Fern, Mary and Betty and beloved granddaughter, Keyra and great grandson, Wyatt. He is survived by his five children, eleven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren; Laina (Jord, Eryn, Chandra), Dean (Melissa, Gabriel), Brian (Hans, Bea Julie, Jahsiah, Jahfar) Greg, and Julie (Will).

Jack married Marie Annette Sandberg, an artist and model, on August 22, 1953 in Hingham, MA and remained his devoted wife and partner with his career and family until her death on June 24, 2010.

Jack was born in Kent City, MI on June 27, 1924. He grew up on a subsistence farm in Grand Rapids, MI. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1942 as a communications officer serving until 1956 and saw active service from 19143 to 1944 in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre on the destroyer ship USS Capella in WWII, as a Lieutenant.

The military service provided a way for Jack to pay for college at Harvard Divinity School where he earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology. He graduated and was fellowshipped in 1950 and ordained as a reverend in 1951.

Jack inspired many people during the civil rights tensions of the 1960's through active participation in this time of significant change. In 1964 he traveled to Williamstown, NC to join in the Civil Rights protest and wrote about his experience of 48 hours in jail after being arrested for attempting to be served at a segregated restaurant with a group of people of color. Despite opposition, Jack used his first hand experience as an avenue to promote change in America. Jack also marches in Massachusetts with Martin Luther King, Jr.

Jack's career of service as a minister to the church and community spanned over 30 years, leading a number of Unitarian Universalist churches, including; The Second Parish Church Hingham, MA (1951-1957), First Parish Church Needham, MA (19157-1969, Winchester MA Unitarian Society (1969-1979, Keene Unitarian Church, Keene, NH (1979-1981), Barintree, MA (1981-1982, Fort Myers, FL (1982-1984), Tarpon Springs, FL (1984-1989).

Jack loved to fish and hunt and in 1956 acquires a cottage on Lake Lucerne in Maine. His ministry allowed for a 3 month summer vacation. The family continues to enjoy this beautiful place.

In honor of Jack, donations can be made to the First Universalist Society of Hartland, VT. A memorial service will scheduled at a later date.