James Niessink RIP

[Marie LaFreniere]

SUTTONS BAY - James Frederick Niessink, 73, of Suttons Bay, passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at his home with family at his side. Jim was born on July 4, 1944 in Detroit, the son of Richard and Katherine (McCoy) Niessink.

Jim graduated from Portage High School in 1962 and spent summers working for Vanâ??s Garage in Leland. A graduate of Albion College (BS, Physics, 1966) and University of Michigan (MS, Aeronautical Engineering, 1969), Jim was a member of a Grumman Aircraft team, in New York, designing the cockpit of the F14. Jim returned to Leelanau County where he made use of his mechanical abilities working with Kropp Well Drilling, Gillespie Enterprises (Beaver Island), and various machine shops in northern Michigan. When Electro-Optics Technology, Inc moved to Traverse City in 1992, Jim became their technology designer. In 2013, Jim was awarded a patent for one of his designs.

An avid aviator, Jim flew his Cessna 170 for pleasure, sometimes work, he particularly loved making trips to the Manitous, Beaver and North and South Fox Islands. Together with his first wife, he owned property on South Manitou, where he maintained the islandâ??s grass airstrip. In an effort to avoid city traffic, he would often make the quick flight from Suttons Bay to Traverse City, when EOT was located near the airport.

Jim leaves a legacy of his music. His voice, guitar, and banjo abilities were well known throughout the Grand Traverse Region. Jim was a single act at The Keller (Shields Restaurant) and at Billâ??s Dills. He also played Dixie Land with the Back Room Gang on and off for 20 years. Most recently, Jim and his close friend, John Rutherford, hosted a weekly musical gathering at Dickâ??s Pour House, in Lake Leelanau.

Jim delighted in his granddaughtersâ?? love of the arts and shared his engineering expertise with Suttons Bay youth as a mentor with their Robotics Team, working with them on several award-winning designs. His generosity was admirable, his talents unmatched, and his genuine kind and calm nature will be sorely missed.

Jim is survived by his wife, Mary; his son, Geoffrey (Annie) Niessink; grandchildren, Abby and Olivia Niessink; his brother, John (Kathy) Niessink, and his apple-chasing dog, Harvey.

Per Jimâ??s wishes, cremation has taken place and private family services have been held.

For family and friends, a celebration of Jimâ??s life and music will be held on Saturday, June 23rd from 3-7pm at Jimâ??s home.

Those wishing to give a gift in Jimâ??s name, please direct it to St. Maryâ??s School: PO Box 340, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653

Condolences and memories may be shared with Jimâ??s family below or at the funeral home Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MartinsonFuneralHome/