9/28/2026 – Jan W. Maas, Sackets Harbor

Jan W. Maas, 82, died September 25th, at his residence, where he was under the care of his family and Hospice of Jefferson County. He enjoyed his family immensely and loved having them all around as much as possible.

Jan was born August 28th, 1944, in Manhattan, New York, the son of Jan Maas and Wilhelmina Maas. He graduated from John Jay High School in 1962. He then went to Stetson University in Florida where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He then attended Colorado State University and received a Master of Science degree in Recreational Planning. Jan maintained lifelong close friendships with those he met in all phases of his life. 

Jan was a Senior Planner for the NYS St. Lawrence Eastern Ontario Commission (SLEOC) in Watertown NY from 1984 until the end of 1992. He helped St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario coastal communities in Cayuga, Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties to develop comprehensive plans, protect natural and historic resources, and promote economic growth through waterfront revitalization strategies. Jan listened to local officials and residents to guide and create viable waterfront communities. With his creative and thoughtful approach, Jan was instrumental in preserving historic structures and sites, creating community parks and walking trails as well as educational materials pertaining to local resources throughout the four-county region. In conjunction with his work as a coastal resource specialist, during the late 1980’s and 1990’s Jan was also instrumental in planning the Seaway Trail, a designated National Scenic Byway linking the Great Lakes from the Pennsylvania border to the St. Lawrence River.

After leaving SLEOC Jan worked for NYS Office of Parks and Recreation, Historic Preservation at Keewaydin State Park as the Adirondack/North Country Region Grants Officer. Once again, his work focused on community-based projects pertaining to parks, recreation and the preservation of historic structures.

After completing his public service career, he focused his time and talents on community planning efforts within his own community of Sackets Harbor, as President of the Sackets Harbor Historical Society, School Board member, Town and Village Recreation committee and numerous other involvements. Jan received countless honors, a few of his most proud being the Sackets Harbor Citizen of the Year and Sackets Harbor Historical Society Hall of Honor. 

On February 10th, 1990, he married the former Mary Brougham of LaFargeville at the United Presbyterian Church in Sackets Harbor, N.Y.

Surviving is his wife, Mary Maas, his son, Daniel (Byanca) Maas of Connecticut, and his daughter, Alexandra (Danny) Drake of Florida; two grandchildren, Callahan and Holland Drake, his sister, Mieke Maas Crider and her husband Thomas Crider of Connecticut; his nephews, Travis Maas, Nicholas Maas, Alexander Maas, and Drew Sneddon; his nieces, Dr. Amanda Dann, and Kristen Lawler.

He is predeceased by his parents and his brother Hendrik E. Maas. Their parents came from the Netherlands in 1940 and Jan always maintained close contact with his Dutch heritage. 

In his truly heroic 34 year struggle with Parkinson’s disease he was an inspiration to his family and community. Jan will be forever missed and his kind, humorous, loving impact lives on in all who knew him. He lived life with a perpetual smile and warmth to everyone he came across. 

Services will be held on October 10th, 2026 at 10 AM at the United Presbyterian Church in Sackets Harbor. 

Donations may be made to the Northern New York Community Foundation for a fund being established in honor of Jan’s work for the development of a waterfront park in Sackets Harbor, the Sackets Harbor Historical Society, the United Presbyterian Church.