By Athena Mekis
Nick A. Mekis experienced a lot in his lifetime. He was always up for anything and loved to share his knowledge wherever he went.
The 84-year-old grandfather, who died of cardiorespiratory failure and other health problems Aug. 12, fought in two wars, volunteered for charitable organizations and served on the Signal Hill City Council in the 1970s.
Born among the apple trees in Watsonville, California, my grandfather developed his strong work ethic at an early age. During the Depression he worked in a lettuce field driving a truck. He cut and dried apricots.
“We also picked berries to buy clothes for school,” recalled his older brother Andrew Mekis. These early experiences stuck with him for the rest of his life.
I learned my grandfather was a brave 18-year-old man who left high school to become an honored war veteran. Years later he went back to school, attending classes at night, so he could receive his diploma.
Nick was drafted into World War II and stationed in the tank division on the island of Palau near Hiroshima. Later on he signed up for the 40th National Guard, which became the only unit in California to enter the Korean War.
WWII was his first chance to travel the world, and from then on he enjoyed the open road and the open sea. Former council member and longtime friend Ennis Neff reminisced about his travels with Nick.
“We traveled through Russia and went into Moscow. We had been up for a while. We were exhausted, but we couldn’t go to sleep, so Nick said, ‘Want to go down to Red Square?’ He had gotten these little bottles of red wine and crackers off the airline and we walked down to Red Square and enjoyed our time together,” said Neff.
My grandfather went on to become a general contractor and built numerous homes in Signal Hill and Long Beach. His signature company stamp is cemented into many driveways and sidewalks in the area.
As a council member and former mayor, he was instrumental in forming the Signal Hill Redevelopment Agency in 1974 and 1975. “He helped set up ordinances that helped clean up Signal Hill,” said fellow council member and longtime friend Keaton King.
My grandfather was passionate about his work in the community, and once he set his mind to something he did it. “He didn’t let anything stop him from pursuing the things he wanted to do,” said Nick’s son, and my father, Kurt Mekis.
King agreed. “He was always pushing to get things done. As a loyal brother in the Masonry, he helped others without expecting anything in return,” he said.
Above all, he was dedicated to his family and friends. “Nick would honk his horn and I’d go out and sit in his truck and talk for hours,” said Neff.
He always carried a smile on his face. That’s what I will remember.
“We enjoyed a laugh together and got serious together,” said fellow Masonic member Bill Ridenhour. “He was the kind of guy who could get into trouble at any minute.”
Nick is survived by his wife Betty Mekis, daughter Jayme, son Kurt, and five grandchildren. Services were held at Westminster Memorial Park on Monday, August 17 at noon. Nick Mekis received both a Masonic and military ceremony.
