James Franklin Lancioni

December 25, 1955 - April 22, 2023

James “Jim” Lancioni, age 67, of Chelsea, MI, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, April 22 after a brief battle with Multiple Myeloma. 

James entered this world as a Christmas gift to Wilma and Diore in Grand Rapids, MI. His favorite childhood memories were summers spent on Portage Lake in Onekama, MI, water skiing, boating, mini biking, and fishing.

He started his musical career at an early age, discovering the drums and percussion. Showing great promise, he attended Interlochen Arts Academy every summer for five years. Upon his high school graduation, he was awarded a full ride scholarship to the University of Michigan to pursue a degree in Music Performance. All through high school and college, he played in youth symphonies, taught drum students, and played numerous classical gigs. During his time at U of M, he spent a summer playing in the Colorado Philharmonic and a summer in the Canary Islands playing opera with the likes of Joan Sutherland. 

James played with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra as the principal timpanist for a total of 41 years under numerous conductors. One of the highlights of his A2SO performances was playing Nielsen 4 as a soloist. In addition to classical music, he also played in Stolen Moments, a wedding band, and Coconut Radio, a rock band. Throughout his career, James had a chance to play with famous musicians Ravi Shankar, Dave Brubeck, Weird Al Yankovich, Dennis DeYoung of Styx, Ann Murray, John Cage, Van Cliburn, and Bob Hope. Later in life, he taught a plethora of drum students, as he was a natural teacher. He also volunteered at his daughter’s school musicals and coached percussion students at Chelsea High School. 

Although he was always pursuing his passions, his greatest love was for his family and spending time with his loved ones. He was an adoring husband, father, Papa and the star of his whole family. He was loved by many.

James is survived by his wife Susan, daughter Mia, daughter Rosa (Matt), and grandchildren Jimmy, Eddie, Lydia, and Etta. Also surviving are his siblings Ruth (Jeff), Mary (Bryan), David (Candy), sister-in-law Tammy, sister-in-law Marlene (John) and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by his parents and brother Charley. 

A gathering of friends and family has been set for Saturday, May 6, 2023 at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea, MI from 3-6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Interlochen Arts Academy, or Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.