Michael Nickich

Michael Sam Nickich died January 3, 2018, after a short illness. Michael was born on July 2, 1954, in Lebanon, Oregon, to Donald and Lucille Nickich. Following high school graduation in Canby, OR, Michael joined the US Army and was stationed in Seneca, NY. After being discharged from the Army, he joined his parents in Ketchikan, AK, where he worked as a police officer for two years. Michael then began working for the Harbor Department as an Assistant Harbor Master. He advanced to the Head Harbor Master and, after 27 years, retired in 1999. Michael and Cindy moved to Washington where he worked restoring antiques and for the Washington State Park Service. In 2008 Michael and Cindy moved to Illinois where he worked summers for Bunker Hill and seasonally for local farmers. All his life Michael loved to spend time fishing, hiking, and camping. He was interested and involved in mining work in east central Oregon with his father and brothers. He spent many years with his dog Cheyenne at his side. After moving to Annapolis, Michael enjoyed clearing and improving their home property, working in the yard, hunting and fishing. Michael is survived by his wife Cindy (Annapolis), daughter Angela and granddaughter Chloe (Alaska), son John (Oklahoma), brothers Donald (Dottie) Nickich (AK), and Clifford (Bonnie) Francis (OR), and sister Karen (Paul) Fischer (OR). Michael’s additional surviving family includes Tracey (Danny) Reed (Annapolis), Andrea (David) Warren (MO), Laurie Hall (MO), and Melissa (Mark) Pickett (PA), eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren who knew him as Papa Mike, and several nieces and nephews. Michael is preceded in death by his parents, and brothers James and Wayne Francis. Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS, 66675. There will be no local services.