Vince Janssens

1951 - 2015

Vincent M Janssens
Nov 22, 1951 - Aug 30, 2015
Vincent M Janssens, age 63, returned Home peacefully on August 30, 2015. Vince lived with passion and principle and was never one to be limited by convention.  He was quick to smile, offer assistance or lend a sympathetic ear.  The mischievous twinkle in his eyes, quick wit and lightheartedness endeared him to everyone he met.  It was his passion for flying that brought him to the States in 1969 from his home in Belgium at the tender age of 17, barely speaking English, where upon he spent two years in flight instruction at Merced Airport while acquiring an AA at Merced College.  At 21 he landed his dream job of ag pilot with Hamilton Dusters in Merced.  His ag flying career would span the next 33 years and include a three year partnership with Bettencourt Flying Service, followed by a successful eight year partnership at J&M (Janssens & Mauzy) Flying Service.  After selling J&M, Vince flew for the Merced County Mosquito Abatement District for 17 years, retiring in 2007.  We once asked Vince how many hours he'd logged in the cockpit.  He said he stopped counting at 35,000.  Vince was a dedicated family man.  At 20 he met the love of his life, Cheryl, and they spent the rest of his life together raising their family.  He loved cooking, family gatherings, the mountains and fishing.  He loved Ol' Timey Music and taught himself to play the banjo.  He also taught himself to make banjos which he loved to give away to aspiring musicians. He and Cheryl enjoyed retirement between South Dakota and California visiting friends and family, fishing and playing music in the bands Downwind Express, The Badger Set Band, Summer Sage and The Jug Band.  Vince is survived by his beloved wife, Cheryl Janssens, and family: Kelli, Robert, Jacob & Montanna Carabello; Traci, Lou, Ryan & Leeanne Ortega; Michael, Susanne, Bryan & Mitchel Salles; and Frederic & Melanie Janssens; and his siblings and family: Luc, Genevieve, Gabrielle & Georges Janssens; Phillip, Manu & Ivan Janssens; Manu, Emmanuel & Sophie Janssens; and Nanette Frank.  Vince did not want a memorial service; he would prefer a raised glass in toast of a fond memory or a favorite tune picked in his honor.  In lieu of flowers Vince preferred a contribution to the Multiple Sclerosis Center at UCSF at UCSF Foundation: For the Department of Neurology, 220 Montgomery Street, 5th Floor, Box 0248, San Francisco, CA 94143-0248 or the Fairview Hospice of Princeton Minnesota, www.fairview.org/foundation.  Beloved husband, father, friend, partner, mentor, musician and bright light, we are blessed to have been in your circle of love.  You will be forever in our hearts and deeply missed.  
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