Nick Kishish

Kishish, Nick After listening to Sinatra and failing in his attempt to rally his children with suggestions of "let's get going," Nick Kishish, 90, emptied his glass and said goodnight for the last time on Wednesday, June 9. We can still hear Nick humming along as the song played; I did it my way. And he did. Nick was born the son of Greek immigrants, Jim and Helen, on November 24, 1930, and spent his life in Minnesota. His parents instilled a love of the water and fishing with years spent going to the family cabin on Mille Lacs Lake. Everyone loved to hear Nick tell the story of being a young man out fishing on the massive lake. Feeling a little lost, Nick pulled up to a dock and asked the man if he knew where Jim's place was. "Just keep coming in, son; you're home." And now he is once again. Nick worked in the family business from a young age, continuing as co-owner of Jim's Coffee Shop and Bakery until it closed in 1997. Not being one to sit around unless he was fishing, Nick went on to work as a baker with Rainbow Foods for five years. Nick, or Nick the Greek as his friends called him, was a stubborn, opinionated, funny, lovable man with a short fuse and a knack for storytelling that could make a grown man blush and put a smile in your heart. Nick was a fantastic baker, avid fisherman, and a loyal Minnesota Vikings fan, except when the fish were biting. Nick was a catch-to-cook kind of guy, and walleye was his favorite. He was known to get boatfuls of fish back in the day, and we're pretty sure that's why they now have slot limits on Mille Lacs Lake. Nick loved an ice-cold martini, fried walleye, and a charred steak from Mancini's. But if you knew Nick, you already know nothing made him smile more than his daughter, Mary. She was the light of his life. And while he only met his son, Dan, recently, he enjoyed their time together and the laughs they shared. It gave him great comfort to know Mary and Dan would have each other after he was gone. Nick was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Helen, his wife Arlene, step-son Jim Davidson, grandson Airman 1st Class Robert Pederson, and his half-brother George. Nick is survived by his daughter, Mary Kishish (Dave Korus), son, Dan Thompson (Ann Peck), step-daughters Debbie and Jill Davidson, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and brother Christ (Mary) Kishish. Services will be held on Tuesday, June 15 at 2pm with visitation one hour prior at: Washburn-McReavy.com Hillside Chapel 612-781-1999 2610 19th Ave. N.E., Mpls