JAMES ZIELINSKI

James “Jimmy” Zielinski, age 71 of Fox Crossing, is another victim of pancreatic cancer. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his wife and family. Jim is the son of the late James and Gladys Zielinski. He is survived by his beautiful and loving wife Janet, siblings Joan (Kevin) Hurley, Don (Debra) Zielinski, Tom (Patty) Zielinski, and Jean (Tom) Wollerman. Jim has one son Benjamin (Michelle) and together, they blessed him with six grandkids (Hunter, Maya, Sophie, Allora, Carter, and Westin).

Having attended St. Mary Grade and High School in Menasha, Jim won school records for numerous Forensic awards, while also playing lead guitar for the band, Zone. Jim attended the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point and eventually graduated from Brown College of Broadcast Arts where he took the stage name of Felix Templeton. He was in sales and programming at WTTN Watertown, WROE Neenah, WYNE Appleton and at WFON Fond du Lac where he created FonFest, a Bicentennial Celebration. He brought the original Lone Ranger to town to protest the ban on using the Ranger mask. He won a MAXI award of marketing excellence from the International Council of Shopping Centers.

This occurred with a successful transition to the mall marketing business where he won another MAXI for corporate advertising while working up the ladder at JMB Realty to become VP Director of Marketing. The mall business took him all over the country, offering site study services to Jockey International, store expansion for Successories and Applause Manufacturing. Becoming a real estate consultant, Jim's career focused on budget and market department restructuring for Simon, Shopco, and directing 21 mall marketing programs for Heitman. When Taubman's Woodfield Mall came calling, he couldn't turn down the opportunity.

The New York City market always intrigued Jim and when Taubman's Stamford Town Center opened for a renovation and expansion, Jim took on the Director of Sales and Marketing role, tasked with leveraging events. Within the first two years, $4 million was booked. This allowed the center to book acclaimed musician Billy Preston. The event turned out to be the highlight of Jim's career.

Growing grayer and with 6 grandkids, retirement on a lake sounded good. Ironically Fox River Mall offered a marketing job in Appleton. After securing the home, Jim took the job until retirement in 2014. Following his passion for community service, he became an active member of the Neenah Rotary. 

Jim's passion for music and friendship led to his own yearly fall festival, Jan Fest, named after his wife. Jim and Jan enjoyed attending concerts and singing karaoke together, whether at a local bar or on their back porch, where Jim loved to play, write, and look over the lake. Jim spent his retirement doting on his grandchildren, traveling for their concerts and birthdays, and living his life to the fullest. Jim loved life, his wife and family and friends, and will be sorely missed by those who knew him best.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 4:00 PM on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at Menasha's Westgor Funeral Home. The visitation will be held from 1:00 PM until the hour of service. In lieu of flowers a memorial is being established in his name with Neenah Rotary.