'He Was More Like A Father': Cape Cod Mourns Loss Of Bill Zammer

FALMOUTH, MA — The Cape Cod restaurant community is mourning the death of restaurateur William Zammer, the owner of the Flying Bridge, Red Horse Inn, Tugs Boats and several other popular restaurants throughout the region.

Zammer, 75, died Friday, and friends and colleagues remembered him as a caring man, who worked relentlessly to make life better for his employees, friends and the Cape Cod community at large.

"He was bigger than life," said Tyler Hayes, the general manager of the Flying Bridge in Falmouth for the last 25 years. "He took care of his staff like they were his family. He taught us all how to do things the correct way. He was more like a father figure."

Jim Underdah also had a similar experience in his decades-long work relationship and friendship with Zammer. Underdah, now the club manager for the Pocasset Golf Club in Bourne worked for Zammer for more than 20 years when Zammer owned the Coonamessett Inn in Falmouth.

Underdah reminisced on one fond memory after working a busy Labor Day weekend. He said he was working hard for his boss, tallying the sales numbers from the weekend, but then Zammer came in and said, "Forget about that. We're going to go sailing for the day."

"There was a general camaraderie amongst people that worked for him," Underhah said. "He was a friend and mentor."

Zammer's Philanthropy and Community Efforts

Mike Kasparian, the president of the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce, said Zammer took as much pride in philanthropy as he did in running his businesses.

Kasparian previously worked for the Cape Cod Healthcare Foundation. He said Zammer and his wife Linda were heavily involved in helping the foundation. The foundation supports Cape Cod Hospital, Falmouth Hospital, the Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod and critical services like the Dementia & Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support program.

"He was personally responsible for indirectly raising millions of dollars for Cape Cod Healthcare," Kasparian said.

Zammer in 2016 also received the Falmouth Citizen of the Year award. He was recognized for his charitable work helping the homeless with the Falmouth Service Center and gifting scholarships for students entering the restaurant and hospitality industries.

Kasparian said Zammer also helped restaurant owners and employees get through the coronavirus pandemic. Zammer spent a lot of time contacting the Massachusetts Restaurant Association and disseminating information to as many local restaurants as he could, Kasparian said.

"He wanted to help all restaurateurs, not just himself. He was adamant that any information that could help people stay in business went out."

Funeral Service

A funeral mass is scheduled for Zammer is scheduled for 11 a.m., Friday, July 2, at Christ the King Church at 5 Job's Fishing Road in Falmouth.

There will be no visiting hours and the funeral is private. The Flying Bridge will be closed Friday for lunch, so employees can attend the service. It will reopen at 5 p.m.

Zammer's family said people who want to pay their respects can donate to their favorite charity in Zammer's name.