James Michael “Mike” Sipe, 57, of Strasburg, Virginia passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2017 in Front Royal, Virginia.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 1:00 PM at Maddox Funeral Home, 105 West Main Street, Front Royal with Rev. Terry Clark officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hill Cemetery, Berryville, Virginia.

Mike was born on October 1, 1959 in Winchester, Virginia to Nancy Estep Simpson and the late James E. Sipe of Boyce, Virginia. Mike was an accomplished professional freelance musician starting at the age of two, mastering drums, guitar and mandolin. He formerly performed at the age of twelve with Joe Maphis. He also performed with Hobbs and Partners and Katz Eye. He sat in on many bluegrass sessions with his peers. He was a member of the Eagle’s Club and the Sons of the Confederacy. He was a dedicated American veteran of the US Army from 1976 to 1979.

Surviving along with his mother is his step father, Gerald Simpson; partner, Kim Lee; two sons, Michael Joseph Mennella and John Thomas Sipe and John’s partner, Regina Tronti; daughter, Christina Mennella; step sister, Scarlet Simpson and her son, Michael; grandson, Dustin J. Basye; three step grandchildren, Zachary, Gavin and Bryce; uncle and aunt, Joe and Denise Sipe of White Post, Virginia; aunt, Carol Ann Rowzie of Chantilly, Virginia; numerous cousins and a long extension of friends and musicians.

The family will receive friends on Friday, October 6, 2017 from 6 to 8 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Music for Relief at www.musicforrelief.org .

The family is also seeking contributions for burial costs on Go Fund Me at www.gofundme.com/james-quotmikequot-sipe.