Nick J. Mikatich
June 16, 1943 ~ September 11, 2008
Resided in:
Pueblo, CO
Nick J. 'Big Nick' Mikatich I was born June 16, 1943 and went on the road again to 'Heaven' September 11, 2008 to see my father Nick J. Mikatich and my mother Angela Mikatich. I leave behind to join me later, my wife of 38 years, Kathleen 'Kitty' Mikatich, my 'Kat'; a special uncle and second father, Rudolph 'Uncle Bud' Mikatich; a very special mother-in-law, Ann Scupholm; my sister, Barbara Anderson; sister-in-law Dianne Frazier and brother-in-law Larry Frazier; nieces and nephews, Kristy (Matt) Braunschmidt, Brian (Katy) Frazier, Judy Anderson, Luanne (Bill) Higgins; great niece and nephew, Davinya Higgins and Billy Higgins as well as numerous family members from the Mikatich, Zupancic and Scupholm families. I grew up in the 'Grove' and on Santa Fe Hill 'Bojon Town' and leave behind many childhood friends, I Attended St Mary's Grade School, Pueblo Catholic High School and Pueblo Junior College/ Southern Colorado State College. I worked in the CF&I and Oregon Steel Rail Mill for 39 years, retiring in 2004.. A new job with the United Steel Workers took me across the country, working for the rights of workers, Jobs with Justice in Portland, Oregon, ASARCO Copper Miners in Hayden, Arizona, Medco in Las Vegas, Nevada, Bridgestone/Firestone in Nashville, Tennessee, Robert Wood Johnson Hospital Nurses in New Jersey, United Steelworkers Headquarters in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and too many more to mention. I take those memories of friendship from my travels, my time working at the mill, and my childhood with me on my new journey. Thanks to all for your friendship over the years and your calls to Kitty and I during my brief illness. Memorial Mass will be held at 10am, Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 307 E. Mesa, with the Rev. Fr. Ben Bacino as celebrant. Interment of cremains, Roselawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at a reception following the burial, at the United Steel Workers Local #2102 Union Hall, 1414 E. Evans Avenue. Thanks to the generous and caring nurses and staff of the Sange de Cristo Hospice. Memorials may be made to Sangre de Cristo Hospice through Montgomery & Steward Funeral Directors, 1317 N. Main St., Pueblo, Colo. 81003. Online condolences, www.montgomerysteward.com.
Dear Kitty,
My prayers are with you and your family right now. I loved Nick dearly as a friend and a trusted ally in our work for justice. Nick brought so many gifts to all of us who had the privilege to know and work with him: His creativity, his integrity, and his boundless energy are but a few of the things that made Nick loved and respected by those around him. But it was his humor and indomitable spirit that drew even relative strangers to him. Nick could turn the most mundane task into an adventure; and the most casual interaction into an opportunity to move his work forward. With Nick, “the struggle” was much less of a struggle. I am a better human being for having known Nick and will strive to honor him in my life and work.
With much love,
Paul
Dear Kitty and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.We were so fortunate to have met Nick at Kristy and Matt’s wedding.His smile was huge and he had so much fun taking those photo’s! Hold all those wonderful memories close to your heart.Our prayers are with you all. Bob and Jeri
Kitty,
We went to Lincoln grade school together. I was so sorry to see the obituary in the paper. Please accept my sympathy in your loss. I remember you, your sister, and your mother very well.
Marilyn
Dear Kitty, Just a note to say how saddened we are by Nicky’s passing. He was very special, his smile always lit up a room, and we know that your memories will give you much to fondly remember in the days ahead. My Mom (Aunt Bessie) was so very fond of Nicky too. May God’s grace and peace give you comfort in the days ahead. We are sorry we cannot be with you tomorrow, but know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Fondly, Cousin Helen and Lanny
Hi Mrs. Mikatich and family, I am very sorry to hear about Nick. I graduated from Catholic High with Nick in 1961. I haven’t seen Nick since I left Pueblo which was in 1965 to go into the Army. I remember Nick as being a very fun loving person who had a great sense-of-humor. We had a lot of fun while at PCH. I always thought of him as being a good friend. My first chore as soon as I get up is to read the on-line Pueblo Chieftain. It keeps me in touch with the city I love and will always call home. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Take care and God Bless. Ron Melia, 1961 PCH Grad who now lives in Silver Spring, MD ezskedsman@aol.com
Kitty,
I have only talked to you and Nick a few times throughout the years but feel like you are friends though my friendship with Larry and Dianne. Nick was a great guy, a wonderful uncle to Brian & Kristy and like a brother to Larry and Dianne. He will be missed. God Bless you.
Labor lost a true friend & a great teacher. God bless you & comfort you. Our prayers are with you & your family.
Dear Kitty,
We were so very sorry to hear about Nicky. Please accept our condolences and regrets for not being able to attend the services on Tuesday. Know that you and the entire family are, and will continue to be, in our thoughts and prayers.
Grace & Peace,
Cousin Joey & Janette
Dear Kitty,
Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We pray that God holds you tightly in His hands while He guides you through the days ahead, and that the beautiful memories you and Nick shared give you peace and comfort. God Bless you, Kitty.
Kitty and family: I’m so sorry to hear of Nicky’s untimely passing. I’m not sure if we have met before, but I am Joe Kamby’s daughter, Betty (Joe’s mother was Fanny Mikatich Kamby). Again, please accept my family’s sincere condolences. BJ, Langdon, Taylor & Dana Jorgensen
Thanks to Judy Kochevar for keeping us in the loop on the family.
I had the great privilege of working with Big Nick at the Steelworkers Union during the strike at the mill. Nick inspired us, made us laugh, and brought out the best in us. He was an incredibly talented activist and organizer. He could be as outrageous as he was sincere. He could find the soft spot in the angriest of people. He could expose the injustice of the rich and powerful, no matter how many lawyers or PR firms they tried to surround themselves with.
Big Nick impacted the lives of thousands of people. Sometimes he touched them with a joke, sometimes with words of encouragement, and sometimes with his incredible commitment for social justice. As sad as the loss of Big Nick is, it’s hard to think of Nick without cracking a smile and that’s exactly as he would want it.
Dear Kitty,
Even from a great distance, Nick was a big part of our family. Paul spoke about him so often I felt like I’d known him my whole life. Then when I met Nick with Paul on one of his many road trips – this time through Bloomington, Indiana – it was Nick who made me feel so comfortable that by the end of the afternoon I would have SWORN I’d known him my whole life.
Nick was truly a remarkable person and we will always hold him and you close in our family and dear to our hearts.