Paul Ancich

Paul George Ancich Age 49, beloved son, brother, husband, father, uncle and friend, died after a courageous battle with cancer on October 6, 2010 at Hospice House surrounded by his family. He lived fully and left us all better for it. A life-long resident of Gig Harbor and third generation commercial fisherman, Paul began fishing with his father at age 13. He graduated from Peninsula High School in 1979 and proudly served in the US Air Force for two years before returning to fish Puget Sound and Alaska waters aboard his boat, the Memories. Aside from his life on the water, Paul's commitment to preserving healthy salmon runs included work for the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group and a position on the Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group Advisory Board. He was a member of the Gig Harbor Commercial Fishermen's Civic Club, the Washington Dept of Fish & Wildlife Lands Mgmt Advisory Council, and the Governor's Forum on Monitoring Salmon Recovery & Watershed Health. He initiated the Donkey Creek Chum Festival, now in its fourth year. Paul loved tennis, golf, auctions, and anything he could build or create. He will be greatly missed by his wife of two years, Lisa Hanson-Ancich, sons Paul Jr. and Jacob (and their mother Christina Ancich), and step-children Brennan and Lacey Hanson. Paul was preceded in death by his mother Ethel Lee. He is survived by his parents, George and Barbara Ancich, siblings Lenita (Nick) Markovich, Maria (Chuck O'Herin) Ancich, Lita Dawn Stanton, Laura Quinn, Chuck (Cindy) Horjes, Cindy Lumsden, John Horjes and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. A reception to celebrate and remember Paul will follow a Funeral Mass at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 3510 Rosedale Street, on Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 11am. In his memory, donations may be made to Franciscan Hospice, 2901 Bridgeport Way West, University Place.