Nicolaas Pieter Visser

Nicolaas Pieter Visser passed away December 11, 2010 in Kalamazoo, MI. from a battle with Alzheimers. Nicolaas was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands September 23, 1932. He immigrated to the United States in 1954 and united in marriage with Aagje Boogerman August 12, 1955 where they had a happy and long life together. Nicolaas was a carpenter in the Kalamazoo area for many years, first in 1959 with Sheppard and Visser Builders for almost twenty years, he worked for himself as Nick Visser Builders starting in 1978. He remodeled homes in the Kalamazoo area for many years. He was the President of the Kalamazoo Home Builders Association in 1977, where he had previously been a member for over 30 years. Nicolaas also was an avid soccer player and speed skater since his childhood. He loved soccer and speed skating , tremendously. Nicolaas was one of the founders of the Kalamazoo International Soccer team in 1955 and which he played for 26 years, and also served as Secretary and Treasurer for 26 years. In 1956 he helped begin the West Michigan Soccer League for which he was President and Secretary and Treasurer. He also played on the All Star Soccer team for 16 years. In 1971 Nicolaas started and coached the first Junior Soccer travel team in Kalamazoo that helped promote youth soccer and popularity in Kalamazoo today. Nicolaas loved to speed skate. He was the first person to start the Kalamazoo Speed Skating Club. His love of skating drove him to win countless awards in competition through the years in Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin, before retirement. Nicolaas was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and two sisters, all of the Netherlands. Surviving are his wife Aagje "Ali" of Kalamazoo, his twin brother Maarten Visser of Netherlands, Son Richard Visser, of Kalamazoo, Daughter Doreen Akins (Ken), and three grandchildren, Lucas and Sarah Visser, of Kalamazoo, Nicholas Akins, of Vicksburg. A private burial service is being planned by the family. Please visit the memorial website at: www.avinkcremation.com.