James H. Shashaguay, age 73, of Saugatuck, passed away Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.
Jim was born in Holland, Mich., to John and Eloise Shashaguay May 11, 1949. He attended Holland Public Schools and graduated from Holland High School in 1967.
After graduation he attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and obtained his pilot’s license. He flew float planes in Canada as a bush pilot for several years before joining the United States Army.
Jim’s specialty was in explosives. He was a member of the elite Explosive Ordinance Detachment “E.O.D.” for two years. His claim to fame in the service was enjoying a beer with astronaut Buzz Aldrin in Palm Springs, Calif.
Soon after serving his country faithfully, Jim returned home to work in the family business Shag Shop Inc. Jim worked there until his death.
He met the love of his life, Mrs. Jan Shashaguay, on a blind date in Daytona Beach, Fla. Together they enjoyed 52 wonderful years of marriage.
He enjoyed playing golf, horseshoes and spending time with his family. Jim was also an avid Nascar fan and Kyle Busch was his driver.
Jim was a lifelong fabricator and he always took great pride in his work. Some of his well-known projects were the local paddlewheel boats in Saugatuck which Shag Shop produced. The most recent was the “Star of Saugatuck,” He was a proud member and Elder of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi.
Mr. Shashaguay is survived by his loving wife, Jan A. Shashaguay; sons, Jeffrey (Naomi) Shashaguay, James (Gina) Shashaguay; grandchildren, James T Shashaguay, Jeffrey E Shashaguay, Jadin A Reed, Mia K Reed, Christina M Rastall; great-grandson, Dean C. Rastal; sister, Diane (Jerry) Vander Molen; brother and sister in-law, Lyn Desautels and Real Desautels.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Eloise; siblings, Jon F (Lynn) Shashaguay and Jo Ann (George) Miles.
A celebration of life will take place in May. To sign an online guestbook please visit, dykstrafuneralhome.com Funeral arrangements are under the auspices of the Saugatuck Chapel.