Alan James Minish

January 2, 1951 - December 6, 2020

Posted

Alan James Minish was born Jan. 2, 1951 to Jim and Mary Minish, the oldest son of eight children; seven sons and one daughter. 

Al grew up in Port Townsend, graduating from Port Townsend High School in the Class of 1969.  He left to attend one year of college at Peninsula College Port Angeles, Washington. He worked 46 years; at Crown Zellerbach as a journeyman painter (14) and Port Townsend Paper as a millwright (six), and Fort Worden State Park (26). 

On Saturday, Sept. 8, 1973 Al married Jane Stroeder at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church. They raised a daughter, Shelly Ann Minish, born on Tuesday, May 21, 1985.

Al was a very talented athlete playing quarterback during his high school football career as well varsity basketball and baseball. Al turned his athleticism to running — 5K, 10K and even a marathon — as he was active throughout his adult life. Al was blessed with a green thumb growing orchids and plants inside and outside.  Al in 2014 became an avid Mustang car enthusiast with owning a 2013 GT Black Coupe and a 2016 Shelby GT350 Race Red. Al belonged to the Kitsap Mustang Car Club of Bremerton, Washington and the Desert Sky Mustang Car Club of Casa Grande, Arizona.  

Al retired after 46 years of working in Port Townsend, to Eloy, Arizona at an active adult gated community Robson Ranch, where he was active; going to the gym, riding bikes, walking daily, the Pickleball Club and Double Deck Pinochle Card Club. Al had many friends in the community, the weather in the winter was wonderful and the sunshine was very healing and healthy for Al.

His life was one of dedication to his family; he was humble, generous with his time and talents, and everyone really liked Al.  Al was genuinely honest and friendly. He loved talking to people and listening to their story. Al was a kind and special man. Al followed the Golden Rule to love your neighbor as yourself. He was a “good” guy; a happy man.

On Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 Al Minish — loving, devoted husband of Jane and father of Shelly, his daughter — passed away at the age of 69. He fought a battle with malignant mesothelioma for a year as God called him home.

Al was preceded in death by his father, James (Jimmy) Minish in 2017. Al is survived by his wife Jane (Eloy, Ariz.) and his daughter Shelly (Tucson, Ariz.).  Al is survived by his brothers John, Jim, Jeff, Ken, Greg, Gary; his sister Sue; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, coworkers and friends too numerous to name.

A memorial service and celebration of Al’s life will be postponed until it is safe to travel to Washington from Arizona and it will then be announced with burial at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church.