Dave Zessin, age 68, of Holland, died suddenly on Sunday, April 13.
He was born August 28, 1956 in Detroit to the late Rosemary and Walter Zessin. He grew up in Redford Township as one of five children. His older sister Kathy, twin younger sisters Laurie and Lynn (deceased in 2019) and younger brother John grew up helping with the family dairy business and attending school and mass at St. Valentine’s. One of his childhood highlights was caddying at Western Country Club for Detroit superstars Al Kaline and Gordie Howe. He later attended Detroit Catholic Central High School, where he starred in wrestling and football before graduating in 1974. He then moved to Holland to attend Hope College, where he was captain of the football team and was named All-MIAA as a center. Most importantly at Hope, he met his wife Jan during freshman orientation when they were both just 17 years old. They married shortly after graduation in 1978 and enjoyed 46 great years of marriage. Dave and Jan’s life together first took them to Toledo, Ohio, where Dave attended law school at the University of Toledo. Dave passed the Michigan Bar exam in 1981 and was soon hired by Swaney Thomas Law Firm in Holland. Dave grew his law practice, eventually moving to Cunningham Dalman where he worked on many important cases and took on several leadership roles in the legal community.
Dave and Jan had three boys, Tim (1981), Joe (1983) and Pete (1988). His family was his true passion and he was the biggest fan of his kids, coaching their baseball, soccer, basketball and football teams. His other passion was the Holland community, where he became a true pillar. He started Holland Little League in 1993 and was heavily involved in that organization for many years. He was also a founding board member of the Holland Boys and Girls Club and a President of the Holland Athletic Boosters. He was a loyal member of First Presbyterian Church for 43 years, serving as an Elder as well as serving the church in many other capacities.
Later in life, Dave was blessed with nine grandchildren. Tim (Jenn) with Anna and Will; Joe (Lauren) with Lily, Riley, Brady and Daniel; Pete (Kayla) with Bennett, Brynn and Emmy. He treasured his grandkids and was a very active “Papa,” playing hide and seek, playing games in the yard and doing tea-parties. Holidays were spent taking them to the trampoline park and the Holland Aquatic Center. He also enjoyed taking them to his cottage in Glen Arbor along Lake Michigan, which became one of his favorite places in the world. Dave lived an amazing life. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on through the many lives that he touched.
A visitation will take place on Friday, April 18 from 3-7pm at Dykstra Funeral Home – Mulder Chapel. A memorial service will be on Saturday, April 19 at 11:00am at First Presbyterian Church in Holland.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be made to Holland Little League and the Holland Public Schools Education Foundation (HEF).
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