Jim attended Spencerian College in Milwaukee, WI, for Sales & Marketing and was a graduate of Arrowhead High School in Hartland, WI. He was a member of the U.S. Army Reserves. Jim was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin to George and Frances Voelzke. Jim and his brother George “Joe” Voelzke grew up in Merton, WI, where his parents ran V’s Tasty Town restaurant. Jim was proud to call himself a “Cheese Head” had many hobbies and was a passionate sports fan. He enjoyed sailing, scuba diving, golfing, skiing, being near the water, grilling, and above all spending time with people. Jim and his family lived in Brookfield, Connecticut for 20+ years, much of their time boating on Lake Lillinonah. Jim was known for telling jokes, being a loving father, coaching children’s sports, grilling sweet corn, playing the organ and was an avid music fan.
His daughter Dana remembers “as a parent, my Dad gave my 2 brothers, my sister and I quite a bit of rope. When I asked for advice, he’d turn the question around. “What do you think you should do?” He’d assure me that he trusted my judgement. He’d say “You’ll make the right decision. Get some sleep”
.Jim had a successful 40+ year career that allowed him to travel the world. His favorite city to visit was Florence, Italy. He was President of E Source Network which was formed in 2000 to provide service, Sales, Marketing and representation to companies from all over the world in leather and shoes, representing world class tanners from New Zealand and Korea, with offices and colleagues in China, and South America. He started working as a sales trainee in the tannery in Milwaukee. He held VP of Sales positions for Maydiang Group and RSI/Sigma, Sales and Marketing agency for Sadesa of Argentina, Annonay of France and Sanbinos of Brazil. Jim was a lifetime member of the Two Ten Footwear Foundation, certified Dale Carnegie sales practitioner, and a member of the Newtown Rotary Club. He regularly donated to the Bridgeport Rescue Mission.
One associate said “Jim's unwavering support and focus for one of our initiatives helped deliver a new business level for the company. Communication is a strong suit for Jim that served to make this initiative a successful one.”
His daughter Erin said “He was easy going, fun-loving, sentimental, and charismatic. He had a great head of hair, always had a story to tell, was always trying new things, loved anything to do with the water, loved animals, even those cats that I talked him into. He knew so many people from all over the world and could strike up a conversation with anyone”
I met Jim around 2004. He was my first and only E-Harmony date. He was in China when we first connected and we hit it off from the first date, when he consented to go dancing with me at one of my favorite clubs. We danced all night. He could dance well. He was a gentleman, with a great head of hair, who wore his heart on his sleeve fearlessly, always caring, always smiling or laughing. He introduced me to his large circle of friends, and loved sailing/boating, being on the water. Throughout the years we remained fast friends, frequently checking in on each other. When I worked on a contract in Brickell, Miami and needed an expert to work on a tracking footwear brand, Jim was the one I turned to, traveling back and forth to China.
Jim was to be my guest on last season’s podcast. He never told me how serious his health issue was at the beginning of this year, except to say, I’ve got cancer but I’m handling it. Then I got the notice shortly after • My dear friend James P. Voelzke, age 75, passed away this May 23. He is predeceased by his son, Peter Voelzke, and brother Joe Voelzke and survived by his three children Dana Voelzke (Richard Franco), Ryan Voelzke, and Erin Stein and many friends • I miss his greetings of “Hey Oz!” It was great having you in my life Jim. Happy sailing!
