Jeffrey Zurlinden
Jul 5th, 2019
Jeffrey Allen Zurlinden “Tigger”, 61, of Dennis, MA passed away peacefully on July 5, 2019 at Cape Cod Hospital. He was comforted by three of his sisters and guided by the saints, with his beloved Tigger.
Jeffrey was a free-lance artist who began his career in Los Angeles selling his paintings at the famous Farmers Market. In 2004, he moved to Brewster, MA with his parents, Virginia and John Richard, and began attending the Cove Clubhouse in Harwichport, MA. He moved into the Clipper Lane group home in Dennis in 2009, where he was a resident for almost 10 years, before finally moving this spring to South Dennis Healthcare. Since moving to the Cape, he was primarily a watercolorist. With a primitive style and vibrant color schemes he often painted landscapes, boats, and flowers. However, his favorite subjects were kittens and puppies. His art work was featured in greeting cards which promoted the mission of the Cove Clubhouse and proceeds helped support it.
Jeffrey was very kind and always ready to make everyone laugh with his repertoire of jokes and original puns. For example: “What kind of car do old people drive?...A Dodge Increpid”. Always an avid music buff, he was especially known for his extensive love and knowledge of Jazz and Classical music. Jeffrey was also a baseball card collector, could frequently be known to partake in small bets on sports games, was always willing to play card games and was always trying to negotiate a financial deal. He did everything with a joke and a chuckle.
Jeff will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him. He was uncanny in his ability to touch everyone’s heart with his kindness, compassion, drawing laughter and smiles and with his outlook towards life.
He is survived by his siblings, Pam, Tom, Jane, Mary Lou and Dawn. He joins his parents and brother Jack, finally resting in Peace, after making the best of a life complicated by many difficult health issues.
Jeff’s family would like to thank all the wonderful health care providers on the Cape, the staff at Clipper Lane group home and at the Cove Clubhouse, who loved and supported Jeffrey through the years.
Words are not enough to express our gratitude.
A memorial service will be held at the Cove Clubhouse, 383 Route 28, Harwichport on July 26, 2019 at 11:00am.
Donations in his memory would be appreciated to the Cove Clubhouse, 383 Route 28, Harwichport, MA 02646 or to the National Association for Mental Illness, www.nami.org.