Nicholas “Nick” Panas

POYNETTE  --  Nicholas “Nick” Panas, age 77, died on Thursday, January 16, 2014, surrounded by his family at his home in the Township of Arlington, after a long battle with cancer.

Nick was born on September 12, 1936 in Syracuse, New York, the son of Nicholoas and Lorna (Aldrich) Panas.  A highlight of his youth was winning the 12 year-old speed skating award during that year’s event.  He graduated from Central High School in 1955, and entered the Air Force on November 3, 1955.  Nick married Shirley A. Keller on November 3, 1956 at St. Bernards Catholic Church in Madison.  He served his country in the United States Air Force and was a member of the Wisconsin Air National Guard and retired after 38 years of service.  He was stationed at Truax Field in Madison, where he was the Secretary/Treasurer of the Union and Chairman of the Armed Services Committee.  He traveled to Washington D.C., and was instrumental in keeping Truax Field open.  Nick was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Poynette, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1962, and served as Grand Knight of the Poynette Chapter for several years.  He also served as president and vice-president of the East Madison Little League, and was a Boy Scout Troop Committee Leader for Troop 20. He was a member of the Arlington Curling Club and enjoyed fishing, gardening, wine-making, and art.  His true passion was golf!     

He is survived by his wife, Shirley; his children, Mike (Cindy) Panas, Oshkosh, David (Dawn) Panas, Cottage Grove, Linda (Jeff) Kelly, Poynette, and Kathleen (Mark) Budensiek, Lake City, MN; his grandchildren, Nathaniel, Matthew, Alicia, Stephen, Alexander, Benjamin, Amanda, Ryan, Camille, Brenton, Anna, and Mason; his brother, Theodore (Barbara) Panas, Ft. Meyers, FL; his sister-in-law, Arlene Hyland, Syracuse, NY, other relatives and many friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father, Michael Almerto, his son, Theodore John, his brother, Robert and his sister, Dorothy.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 20, 2014 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Poynette, with Fr. Raymond Dischler presiding.  Military Honors will be presented by Poynette area veterans.  Inurnment will be private.  Visitation will be held on Sunday from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Poynette, with a Rosary Service at 3:00 p.m. led by the Knights of Columbus.  Visitation will also be held on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. 

The family would like to thank Dr. Lepeak and the staff at Dean Oncology, Home Health United, and Hospice Caregivers.