James Francis Niehoff

James Francis Niehoff, age 92, went peacefully to his Lord on April 10, 2018. He was born to Edward and Ellen Niehoff in Queens N.Y. He proudly served in the Coast Guard as a Loran Specialist in the South Pacific during WWII, and, in 1950, married Amelia Mary Pansius. He went on to graduate summa cum laude, first in his class, from St. John's University School of Law in 1951. Upon graduation, he clerked for Judge Albert Conway, Chief Judge of the NY Court of Appeals. In 1962, while working as Deputy Town Attorney in Hempstead, Long Island he was named to the Town Council, and in the following year he won election as a Councilman for Hempstead.
He went on to serve as a Judge of the Nassau County District Court, as Administrative Judge of the District Court, and as a Justice of the State Supreme Court. He was designated to the Appellate Division, Second Department in 1981 and retired from the bench in 1987. He had the opportunity to teach at his alma mater, sharing his love of the law,  and received many accolades including Professor of the Year. While in NY, Judge Niehoff was actively involved in the Scottish Rite Masonic organization and was elected to receive the 33rd Degree.
He and Amelia moved to Florida in 1994 where they settled in Highland Beach. Judge Niehoff remained active serving on several town committees.  They knew they had made the right decision when they then moved to St. Andrews Estates.  They told everyone what loving, warm, and supportive friends they had made there and that they couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.  He was very involved with many of the community’s committees and projects and enjoyed the ability to contribute.
The Niehoffs loved to travel. They especially enjoyed cruising and vacations to Scotland where they both had family roots. 
Judge Niehoff was predeceased in 2017 by his wife of 67 years, Amelia, who was the love of his life.  He leaves behind three children, Edward (Ann), Jim (Tricia) and Ellen (Steve), three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. 
Thank you to all of the St. Andrews friends and staff who enriched his and Amelia’s life.  
 

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