Jim Zampini passes away at 85

Jim Zampini passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 85 years on April 15, in the afternoon. Jim was the founder and owner of the former Lake County Nursery, Inc and formed UpShoot LLC in 2009.

"As many of you know he has had a multitude of health problems since 1982 so we knew he was a ‘bionic man’ to have lived 85 years", says Maria Zampini, his daughter and President of UpShoot. "He too knew he had been given way more than nine lives. As such death and dying was something we talked about, much more than most families I believe. While his death comes as a shock it is not shocking as we all knew he was on borrowed time. I do realize what a lucky daughter I was to have him as my friend, mentor, business partner and most importantly my dad!"

Jim was the founder and owner of the former Lake County Nursery, INC. He and Maria left that company in 2009 to form UpShoot LLC which is a boutique horticultural marketing firm specializing in new plant introductions and gardening related products. "There remains on our original farm location a wholesale firm that still goes by Lake County Nursery (no Inc) and is in part owned by my brother, but we are not involved in the day to day business of that company or own any interest in it; we are total and separate. We do however represent and provide sales, marketing and licensing for their LCN Selections, which is all my fathers original plant breeding work", says Maria.

At UpShoot, Jim and Maria each had a different focus at the company and while Jim tended to communicate more frequently with growers and breeders than Maria, they often discussed and prepared for the scenario of when he should pass. "So I will make adjustments as necessary but rest assured I will continue his legacy and look forward to working with our current breeder and grower network in representing new plant introductions to the trade and consumers. I just ask for your patience while we work through everything."

Calling hours are from 3-8 on Wednesday 4/19 and his funeral mass is Thursday 4/20. Both events will take place at St. Anthony of Padua in Fairport Harbor.

For more information:
Upshoot
www.upshoothort.com
www.hardyboyplant.com