Joseph Stephen Kish

Joseph Stephen Kish passed away on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at home in the presence of his loving daughter and beloved dog Bo. He had been on Hospice since August battling invasive ulcerated scalp melanoma. He is survived by his daughter and only child, Dr. Erica Elizabeth Kish-Palos, his two grandsons, Lincoln and Wyatt Palos, and son-in-law Mike Palos. In addition, Joey, as he is known to his siblings, is survived by his brother Charles (Chuck) Kish and his wife Terry, his sister JoAnn Dorsch and her husband Tom, his brother Stephen and his wife Barbara, his sister Patty Gustafson and her husband Scott, and his sister-in-law Sarah; their brother Dennis passed away in 2015. In addition, he is survived by many nephews, nieces, and cousins. 

Joe was born on August 12, 1948, in Tarentum, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County, and grew up in Vandergrift, PA, just outside of Pittsburgh. He was the oldest son of Joseph Stephen Kish and Angelica Theresa Cignetti Kish. Joe played sports from a young age including Little League baseball, then football. While he was a natural athlete, he excelled in basketball. He was a star basketball player at Kiski Area High School where he graduated in 1966. He then attended and graduated from Slippery Rock University where he also played basketball. He was a member of Sigma Tau Gama Fraternity. He majored in education, earning a Bachelor's and a Master's Degree. It was there he met Erica's mother, Trudy West Kish Slawik; she was from Easton so upon graduation he put down roots in the Lehigh Valley. Despite divorcing when Erica was young, Trudy and Joe remained lifelong friends and raised Erica together, co-parenting before it was even a recognized term.

 When Joe first started out as a teacher he worked at Faulk's Lounge in NJ as a bartender to earn extra money. He and a couple other male teachers then started a part-time painting business, JL's Finishing Touches, to supplement their income after school. Joe spent over 30 years in the Easton Area School District. He began as a middle school reading teacher, teaching students the method of speed reading and installing a love of reading in many. He then earned a Principal Certification from Lehigh University, becoming an intermediate assistant principal at Shawnee Intermediate school, then head principal of Easton Area Middle School.

Joe was truly a legend, the GOAT (greatest of all time) of the district, where he is remembered for his tough demeanor and high expectations, yet respect, when it came to students, teachers, staff, and parents. His discipline style was often compared to Joe Clark in Lean On Me, his method of teaching and discipline was often intimidating yet consistent, firm, and fair. Joe was known for his silent lunches when students were being disruptive, yet giving kids money for ice cream in the cafeteria when they made good grades, Honor Roll, or simply stayed out of trouble. While he was head middle school principal Joe started a fishing club many fondly recall today.

In addition, he went on to serve in a number of central office administrative positions including Transportation, Human Resources, Assistant to the Superintendent, and Superintendent. He is credited for his work in planning, designing, and executing the opening of the new middle school. Ask anyone who went to the district when he was there and they will surely have a story for you about the infamous Mr. Kish!

Joe always drove a Jeep, from the original Wagoneers, to Cherokees, and Grand Cherokees. Unfortunately his health deteriorated and he wasn't able to recently get one of the new remodeled Wagoneers. He was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan, a huge fisherman, and a lover of animals. He enjoyed shopping, cooking, planning meals, playing the lottery, and picking out and buying things he knew his family would love. Upon retirement in 2011 he bought a beach house in Toms River, NJ where he was minutes away from one of his favorite fishing spots, driving on the beach to surf fish at Island Beach State Park. It was during his time in Toms River that he fed, housed, rescued, and adopted numerous stray neighborhood cats. He even took in dogs needing to be rehomed. He loved his dog Bo and all of his daughter's dogs and cats, considering them to be part of the family.

Joe's bark was worse than his bite and he was generous to a fault. He was a rock, one you could go to for advice, assistance, or support. While passionate and having strong convictions, he was down-to-earth and approachable. He had a quick wit and dry sense of humor and would offer sage advice. He mentored many teachers, staff members, friends, and family. While not a practicing Catholic, he remained a believer, and retained his lifelong faith. He never did win the lottery, yet he was blessed beyond belief. His greatest pride and joy in life was his daughter Erica and his grandsons. He taught both boys to fish and enjoyed many fishing outings and spending time with them and Mike.

Sadly in 2014 Joe got diagnosed with a rare form of salivary gland cancer which required surgery at Penn. In 2020 he had a recurrence, resulting in extensive surgery in which a bone from his leg was used for facial reconstruction, causing him to lose his teeth and hearing. This was the beginning of the end when his health began to fail. In 2023 he broke his hip and in 2025 diagnosed with the scalp melanoma. His tough demeanor and fighting spirt were evident through it all. He always said "When your time's up, your time's up, and it was written in the book a long time ago." Joe is already greatly missed but we know we will see him in Heaven.

"Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." - Matthew 4:19

Erica and the family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude and thanks to Kind Hearted Hands, Visiting Angels, and St. Luke's Hospice (specifically Pam, Cory, and Alanna), for their caregiving services to Joe.

 Joe will be cremated and a Celebration Of Life service will be held in the spring at a local fishing spot. Until then, please honor Mr. Kish and his love of dogs and cats by donating to The Sanctuary at Haafsville in Breinigsville, PA. You can mail memorials to P.O. Box #921, Fogelsville, PA 18051 or electronically on their website at www.thesanctuarypa.org/donate

Condolences may be offered at www.connellfuneral.com