James Gregory Polise

James Gregory Polise, age 81, of Sarasota Florida and Beulah, Michigan passed away on June 19th, 2024, after a brave and hard-fought battle with cancer. He was born January 31, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois to the late Sam and Elsie (Littner) Polise. Jim graduated from Fenger High School in Chicago, Illinois in 1961. He then graduated from Northrup Aeronautical Institute in Los Angeles, California in 1963 with a degree in aviation maintenance. He honorably served in the United States Army as a helicopter mechanic from 1963 - 1966 including an extended deployment in Korea. Jim's first love was aviation and he always said he could not believe someone would pay him to fly around the world. Starting as co-pilot in 1967 with Commuter Airlines in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, he quickly became a captain and subsequently became Chief Pilot for Zimmer in Warsaw, Indiana where he flew for 21 years. From 1991-1999 he was an International Captain for Unum Insurance in Portland, Maine. He spent two years as a charter captain at Image Air then returned to Zimmer as International Senior Captain flying the Challenger 604, retiring in 2009 with a total of 23,000 logged flying hours. He was an active member of American Legion Post 253 in North Webster, Indiana and an active member of the Greenfield, Indiana and Frankfort, Michigan American Legion Honor Guards. Jim was past Commander of US Power Squadron in Portland, Maine. He was a logistics team member of Indianapolis Air Show and a team member for the IU Health Miles for Myeloma annual ride. He was also commander of the Sun Outdoors Resort Veterans Honor Guard in Sarasota, Florida from 2019-2024 and led their fundraising efforts to benefit veterans in the area. In retirement, he loved sailing his remote control one meter sailboat with the Sun Outdoors and Sarasota Model Yacht Clubs. He and Yvonne also enjoyed traveling in his RV around the country. Boating and fishing were other passions, as was flying his 1958 Cessna 172. Jim married Yvonne Houlne (who survives) on July 15th, 1967, in Aurora, Illinois. They have three daughters- Connie (Mike) Mills, Deb Polise (husband Kevin Jowitt), and Vickie (John) Slater, and three grandsons, Mitchell & Chandler Mills and Jack Slater. He is also survived by sisters JoAnn (Gary) Henger and Joyce Polise and brother Jack (Pat) Polise. He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, strength, and integrity that will continue to inspire those who were lucky enough to know him. Services will be held on July 2, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Frankfort, Michigan with visitation from 11AM-1PM and service at 1PM. Interment will follow at Crystal Lake North Cemetery in Frankfort, Michigan. Memorial contributions can be made to SNF Honor Guard c/o Nancy Blome at 163 Hidden Lane, Lexington, SC, 29072. Arrangements by Jowett Family Funeral Home of Benzonia, Mi.