John William McNish

John William McNish, known to friends and family, first as Johnny and then as "Honey," was born on August 23, 1966, in Detroit. John passed away suddenly but peacefully on June 10, 2024, in his sleep. John is survived by his beloved wife of 25 years, Beth Murphy McNish, and their son, Jack. He is also survived by his brother Robert (Colleen), his sisters Christine McNish (Chris Beaudoin) and Suzanne Moceri (Mark) and his many cousins, nephews, and nieces. John loved and cared for them all. By marrying Beth, John instantly was engulfed and adopted by the loving Murphy clan, who were both his extended family and his dear friends, especially Meg, Jimmy, John and Chris. John follows his parents William and Carol McNish, and Beth's parents Dr. James and Peggy Murphy into eternal rest.
John loved people. But first and foremost, John loved Beth and Jack. Being Beth's husband and Jack's father was what John was most proud of. He just loved being with them, on a sports field, on a golf course, in Florida or just having dinner. Beth and Jack were his life.
To the rest of us, John was a gentleman who immediately made you feel as if you had known him your whole life. John was gregarious, fun-loving and wanted to be around people. His beautiful soul touched everyone who met him. He was compassionate, always ready with a compliment but never a mean word. John was a peaceful presence when needed and a spark to the party when appropriate. He spent his last weekend doing what he loved, golfing and being with his wife and his friends. As corny as it sounds, to know John was to love John.
John grew up in Detroit and Farmington Hills. He attended Catholic Central High School, Class of 1984. He went on to earn an insurance degree at Lawrence Technological University in 1992.
John had a distinguished career in insurance at the McNish Group. He seamlessly stepped in to become President of McNish Group in 2018 after the death of his father, Bill McNish, and took on the challenge head on alongside his sister Suzi McNish Moceri as Vice-President, to finish the transition to the next generation of family leadership. He served on committees and boards in the insurance industry, won insurance awards and had an influence on everyone he met. John worked tirelessly for his customers and treated his team at the McNish Group like family. As all of John's clients/friends can attest, John was genuine, resourceful, and caring.
John had a lot of passions. After his family and his league of friends, it was golf. But he loved to boat, ski, watch Michigan football, cheer on the Lions and the Red Wings or cheer for his nieces and nephews in their sports. As was required and expected of a McNish, he spent his whole life grateful for his gifts and giving back to his community, including his role in the McNish Family Foundation.
Family will receive friends Wednesday 3-8pm, with a Scripture service 7pm, at A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward (btw 13-14 Mile), Royal Oak, 248-549-0500.
Funeral mass Thursday 10am at St. Hugo of the Hills Catholic Church, 2215 Opdyke Rd., Bloomfield Hills. Visitation at church begins 9:30am.
Memorial tributes to the McNish Family Foundation, 26622 Woodward Ave., Suite 200, Royal Oak, MI 48067.