James L. Commissaris Obituary

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Milwood United Methodist Church, Lake Louise Christian Summer Camp, Kalamazoo Corvett Club, and Rose Arbor Hospice. A celebration of life service will be announced at a later date.

James "Jim" Lee Commissaris, age 75 from Kalamazoo, MI passed away peacefully from complications of heart surgery on July 28, 2025. Jim was born on June 10, 1950 to Cecilia (Wdowicki) and Donald Commissaris. Raised in Kalamazoo, Jim graduated from Loy Norrix High School in 1969. An avid rugby player, he played for the Kalamazoo Rugby Football Club throughout the 1970s. One night in 1976 while hanging out at his local watering hole, the Knollwood Tavern, he met Susan (Kender) and later married on December 10, 1977. Together they had three children, Brian (Katie) Commissaris, Amanda Commissaris, and Lora Commissaris. Jim began his 30-year career at Upjohn now Pfizer as a chemical operator. After retirement Jim spent most of his time tending to his rose garden and was an active member of the Kalamazoo Corvette Club. He enjoyed participating in parades and was an integral part in organizing the Parade of Homes fundraiser for the Corvette Club. Jim will always be remembered for his wicked sense of humor and wit, his spectacular Christmas decorations that would light up the neighborhood, annual Christmas parties that took place throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and for being the parking guru when it came to teaching the neighborhood teenagers learn how to parallel park so they could pass their driving tests. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Ronald and Gordon along with several aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, Penelope and Audrey Commissaris, sister-in-law Sue Commissaris ("The Original"), nephews Scott and Mark Commissaris and their families, along with several cousins.