Jeffrey Lee Maier

Jeffrey Lee Maier, of Richland, Michigan passed away August 17, 2025. He was born June 23, 1959 in Bay City, Michigan to Robert and Judith (Keagle) Maier.

Between hello and goodbye, there was love, so much love. His spirit can never be lost. We have been and always will be a part of each other.

Jeff received a Bachelor's degree from Northern Michigan University in 1981. After graduation he lived in Royal Oak, Michigan and worked in the video production business. In 1995 he was able to follow one of his many passions and began to work in the beer industry, first at King Brewery in Pontiac and ending his career at Bells's Brewery in Kalamazoo, moving to Richland in 1998.

Jeff had many passions but his love of sailing was the thread throughout his life, having two parents who sailed throughout their lives and helped to foster his passion for the sport.

Jeff spent many a Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday racing on Lake St. Clair with his family and friends. He met his wife Mary Ann at the Detroit Yacht Club when she walked down the dock to "meet the competition". They enjoyed many weekends racing and relaxing on family boat Ghost in the lagoon.

Once he relocated to Richland, Michigan, he continued his sailing on Gull Lake with the Gull Lake Yacht Club, of which he was Commodore 2010-2011. He first sailed on an Opti on the Kawkawlin River in Bay City and the Detroit River at the Detroit Yacht Club. He purchased his second sailboat in 2001, a Boston Whaler Harpoon 20 and his beloved Catalina Capri 22, Ghost Owl, in 2007.

Jeff proudly was inducted into the Society of Old Goats, having sailed in more than 25 Bayview Mackinac Races.

Jeff gave back to the sport when he became certified in race management, as a Regional Race Officer and a Regional Judge. Jeff felt blessed to work with so many clubs and met so many wonderful people that became incredible life-long friends. Jeff served as the principal race officer (PRO) for many premier events including the 2014 Chubb U.S. Sailing Junior Championships, J35 North Americans, Melges 24 North Americans, Ensign Nationals, Interlake Nationals, Star Regionals and the annual Bayview Mackinac Race several times, including the 100th running of the race in 2024. He became an Old Fort this past July as he participated as a member of the Bayview Mackinac Race Committee for fifteen years.

Jeff recently set a goal to sail on a tall ship and became involved with the wonderful people at Inland Seas Education Association this spring and began his training on being a crew member. As he stated often, around sailing and boats – you never stop learning.

When the sailing season ended, the hockey season began. Jeff loved hockey, playing throughout his youth, high school and college. He loved watching any team in the NHL, but especially his favorite teams, the Red Wings and the Canadiens. Saturday night he and his brothers loved watching Hockey Night in Canada.

Jeff loved collecting and has many sports memorabilia, especially hockey and baseball. He most recently expanded his nautical collection deemed his Northern Shrine of Nautical Culture. This collection includes a myriad of antique bells, clocks, barometers, lights and beer + sailing signs .…..

Jeff is survived by his wife Mary Ann, brothers Jim (Sue Girbach) and Andy Maier, many nieces and nephews, grand nephews, grand nieces, and his many extended family and friends.

Jeff's celebration of life will be on September 20, 2025, at the family house in Augusta, 960 E Gull Lake Dr. from 1200 – 1600 hours (12-4 p.m.) A second celebration will be held at Grand Traverse Yacht Club on October 19, 2025, from 1300 – 1500 hours. We will share memories and laughs and tell stories – things Jeff loved to do!

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jeff's honor to the Grand Traverse Yacht Club Foundation to continue to support the next generation in the sport he so loved or the American Cancer Foundation to continue the fight and find a cure.