James R. Nieciak, a.k.a., Mr. Nice, passed away on September 8, 2025. He was born in Chicago, Il on April 7, 1947 and was a proud graduate of Chicago Vocational High School.

James was drafted during Vietnam and served as a draftsman in Heidelberg, Germany. When he returned from the service, he worked for a brief time at U.S. Steel. He then decided to pursue insurance sales. While in “insurance school” in Hartford, CT he met Jean Kay Lewis and they were married in 1973. Jean and Jim set roots in Darien, IL in 1976 and remained on Maple Lane.

Always an entrepreneur, Jim owned several businesses in his lifetime. He founded Anchor Insurance in 1977 and purchased All Products Manufacturing in 1998. At different times, he owned a travel agency, a printing business and had a real estate license.

Jim felt fortunate for his full life and liked to say he “did pretty good for a kid from the block.” That’s why he looked to help others in any way he could.  Jim was known for being generous and big hearted. He loved meeting new people and cracking his favorite jokes. He also cherished being around friends and family. He was in regular attendance at Chicago Bears games and enjoyed restoring and showing classic cars. He especially loved his bright yellow 1965 Pontiac GTO.

He is survived by his wife Jean Nieciak (nee Lewis); his daughter Nicole Yuska (Tim), his son Benjamin Nieciak (Shannan Skidmore), sister Constance Hriszko, and grandson Cameron James Yuska. He was preceded in death by his brothers Thomas, Robert and John Nieciak; his parents Bernice and John Nieciak; brother-in-law David Lewis; and sister-in-law Linda Laghetto.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory to: Mercy Home for Boys and Girls via the web page: https://tinyurl.com/MercyHome4James or mail 1140 W. Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60607 Attention: Anne Topa.

Visitation Saturday September 13th from 9:30 am until the time of Service 12-Noon at Adolf & Powell Funeral Home 7000 S. Madison Street, Willowbrook. Services will conclude at the funeral home.