Michael Nishkian

Michael Nishkian died peacefully surrounded by his family on September 2, 2021, after a long struggle with Parkinson's Disease. He was 76 years old. Michael was born and raised in Long Beach to parents Rose and Martin Nishkian. He was the youngest of three children and was doted on by his older sisters Sandra and Barbara. He attended Wilson High School and it was there that he met his high school sweetheart and future wife Karen. He was a talented athlete and dedicated student, serving as the student body president as well as a member of the track and field and cheer teams. He was a member of the prestigious ACES fraternity, and his senior year was awarded "Wilson Boy of the Year." Michael went on to attend Stanford University where he was a member of the Phi Kap fraternity, and always remembered fondly his year studying abroad in Italy. While at Stanford, he studied engineering, but ultimately loved his philosophy classes most and ended up pursuing a law degree at USC. He was a solo practitioner, focusing on estate planning, with an office just blocks from his home on Lime Avenue. Mike and Karen settled into family life and raising their two children, but he was always a creative spirit and loved movies, music, games, jokes, and writing songs. The block on Lime included over 20 children and each year he wrote a song for each family to be performed at the annual Christmas caroling party. He was also an avid movie enthusiast dubbed "Captain Video." He and Karen were known for their annual Oscar Derby party where each year he wrote a "handicap" sizing up the competition and roasting each of the participants. One of his true passions was his annual month-long family vacation to Lake Tahoe. He loved rising early each day to be the first one at Sand Harbor State Park, where he made daily sandcastles to the delight and amazement of the beachgoers. Mike is survived by his wife of 52 years, Karen, their children Jennifer and Michael, their spouses Brian and Hayley, and four grandchildren who called him Coca: Emerson, Tyler, Zoe, and Elliott. He also leaves behind his sister Sandra, many nieces and nephews, and close family friends John, Colin, Kelsey, Logan, and Tate. Mike was a devoted husband and father who will always be remembered for his witty sense of humor, and for the joy he brought to those around him. He truly loved to make other people laugh. Donations in memory of Michael Nishkian may be made to either the Parkinson's Foundation (www.parkinson.org) or Keep Tahoe Blue (www.keeptahoeblue.org).