# Nick Fish

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{{Short description|American politician and lawyer (1958–2020)}}
{{about|the American politician|the atheist activist|American Atheists#Leadership}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name        = Nick Fish
| office      = [Portland City Commissioner](/source/Government_of_Portland%2C_Oregon)
| term_start  = 2008
| term_end    = January 2, 2020
| predecessor = [Erik Sten](/source/Erik_Sten)
| successor   = [Dan Ryan](/source/Dan_Ryan_(Oregon_politician))
| birth_place = [Millbrook, New York](/source/Millbrook%2C_New_York), U.S.
| relatives   = [Fish family](/source/Fish_family)
| alma_mater  = [Harvard University](/source/Harvard_University) ([BA](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts))<br>[Northeastern University](/source/Northeastern_University) ([JD](/source/Juris_Doctor))
| birth_date  = {{Birth date text|September 30, 1958}}
| birth_name  = Nicholas Stuyvesant Fish
| death_date  = {{Death date and age|January 2, 2020|September 30, 1958}}
| death_place = [Portland, Oregon](/source/Portland%2C_Oregon), U.S.
| party       = [Democratic](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States))
| image       = Commissioner Nick Fish.jpg
| caption     = Fish in 2014
}}

'''Nicholas Stuyvesant Fish''' (September 30, 1958 – January 2, 2020) was an American politician and lawyer who served as a Commissioner of [Portland, Oregon](/source/Portland%2C_Oregon) from 2008 to 2020. A [Democrat](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)), Fish worked with [Portland Parks & Recreation](/source/Portland_Parks_%26_Recreation), the Portland Housing Bureau, and the Bureau of Environmental Services.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.portlandoregon.gov/fish/|title=Nick Fish (In Memoriam) &#124; the City of Portland, Oregon|access-date=2019-01-05|archive-date=2020-01-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108152708/https://www.portlandoregon.gov/fish/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early life==
Fish was born and raised in [Millbrook, New York](/source/Millbrook%2C_New_York).<ref>{{cite web|last=Fish|first=Nick|title=Democratic Party of Oregon|url=http://www.dpo.org/people/nick-fish|accessdate=23 July 2012|archive-date=21 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721084341/http://www.dpo.org/people/nick-fish|url-status=live}}</ref> He is a member of the prominent [Fish political family](/source/Fish_family). He was the son of Julia MacKenzie and [Hamilton Fish IV](/source/Hamilton_Fish_IV), who represented New York in the [United States House of Representatives](/source/United_States_House_of_Representatives) from 1969 to 1995. His grandfather, [Hamilton Fish III](/source/Hamilton_Fish_III), represented New York in the [United States House of Representatives](/source/United_States_House_of_Representatives) from 1920 to 1945 and served in [369th U.S. Infantry Regiment](/source/369th_U.S._Infantry_Regiment) known as the "Harlem Hellfighters." Fish's great-great grandfather was [Hamilton Fish](/source/Hamilton_Fish), the 26th [United States Secretary of State](/source/United_States_Secretary_of_State).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2010/09/family_ties_nick_fish_hopes_to.html|title=Portland city Commissioner Nick Fish hopes to secure a medal for a WWI soldier who served with his grandfather|last=Bingham|first=Larry|date=2010-09-28|website=oregonlive|language=en|access-date=2019-11-18|archive-date=2019-11-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118024035/https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2010/09/family_ties_nick_fish_hopes_to.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Career==
After graduating from [Harvard University](/source/Harvard_University) in 1981, Fish worked as a legislative aide for [Massachusetts](/source/Massachusetts) Congressman [Barney Frank](/source/Barney_Frank). He received a [Juris Doctor](/source/Juris_Doctor) degree from [Northeastern University](/source/Northeastern_University) in 1986. Fish practiced law in [New York City](/source/New_York_City) and in [Portland, Oregon](/source/Portland%2C_Oregon).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://dpo.org/people/nick-fish |title=Democratic Party of Oregon-Commissioner Nick ish |access-date=2019-11-18 |archive-date=2019-05-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529224501/https://dpo.org/people/nick-fish |url-status=live }}</ref>

Fish spent ten years representing health care workers and unions in [New York City](/source/New_York_City). He was appointed to [Manhattan Community Board Five](/source/Community_Boards_of_Manhattan), a neighborhood association, serving as chair for two years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dpo.org/people/nick-fish|title=Nick Fish {{!}} Democratic Party of Oregon|website=dpo.org|access-date=2019-11-18|archive-date=2019-05-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529224501/https://dpo.org/people/nick-fish|url-status=live}}</ref>

Fish championed the renovation of the [Times Square Hotel](/source/Times_Square_Hotel). Working with community non-profit [Common Ground](/source/Common_Ground_(New_York_City)), the hotel was remodeled into affordable housing and a thriving community of theater district workers, residents living with [HIV/AIDS](/source/HIV%2FAIDS), and formerly homeless individuals. The Times Square renovation received the [Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence](/source/Rudy_Bruner_Award_for_Urban_Excellence) in 1997.<ref name="Bruner Foundation">{{cite web|title=Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence|url=http://www.brunerfoundation.com/rba|publisher=Bruner Foundation|accessdate=3 September 2013}}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Fish moved to [Portland, Oregon](/source/Portland%2C_Oregon) in 1996 after his wife, Patricia Schechter, was offered a teaching position in the History Department at [Portland State University](/source/Portland_State_University).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pdx.edu/history/bio-schechter|title=Portland State College of Liberal Arts & Sciences: Department of History {{!}} Faculty bio-Patricia Schechter|website=www.pdx.edu|access-date=2019-11-18|archive-date=2019-11-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118023604/https://www.pdx.edu/history/bio-schechter|url-status=live}}</ref>

Prior to running for elected office, Fish practiced employment law in Oregon, and hosted ''Outlook Portland with Nick Fish'', a public affairs show on [KRCW](/source/KRCW-TV).{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

Fish served on the boards of [Home Forward](/source/Home_Forward) (formerly the Housing Authority of Portland), the [Oregon Cultural Trust](/source/Oregon_Cultural_Trust), [Volunteers of America](/source/Volunteers_of_America), and the St. Mark's Historic Landmark Fund.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

=== Politics ===
thumb|Fish at a meeting of the City Commission
Fish first ran for a seat on the [Portland City Council](/source/Government_of_Portland%2C_Oregon) in 2002, losing to Randy Leonard.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.portlandoregon.gov/auditor/article/5446 |title=2002 September Special Election - Official Results |access-date=2020-01-03 |archive-date=2020-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103042420/https://www.portlandoregon.gov/auditor/article/5446 |url-status=live }}</ref> He ran again in 2004, losing to future Mayor [Sam Adams](/source/Sam_Adams_(Oregon_politician)).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.portlandoregon.gov/auditor/article/60918 |title=City of Portland 2004 November Election - Official Results |access-date=2017-08-07 |archive-date=2017-08-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808033854/https://www.portlandoregon.gov/auditor/article/60918 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2008, Fish again ran for the Council, this time in a special election for the unexpired term of resigned Commissioner [Erik Sten](/source/Erik_Sten). He won the seat with 61.4% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.portlandonline.com/auditor/index.cfm?c=27116&a=220379 |title=City of Portland 2008 May Election - Official Results |access-date=2015-04-26 |archive-date=2023-08-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806073929/https://www.portlandoregon.gov/auditor/article/220379 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was re-elected to a full four-year term in 2010 with just under 80% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.portlandonline.com/auditor/index.cfm?c=27116&a=304164 |title=City of Portland 2010 May Election - Official Results |access-date=2015-04-26 |archive-date=2015-12-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225000130/http://www.portlandonline.com/auditor/index.cfm?a=304164&c=27116 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Until February 2013, Fish served as Commissioner-in-Charge of the Portland Housing Bureau and [Portland Parks & Recreation](/source/Portland_Parks_%26_Recreation).{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

In 2010, Fish led the creation of the new Portland Housing Bureau, streamlining and consolidating the City's housing programs and services. In 2011, he celebrated the opening of Bud Clark Commons, a cornerstone of the City's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fish|first=Nick|title=Commissioner Nick Fish|url=http://www.portlandonline.com/fish|accessdate=23 July 2012|archive-date=26 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626072136/http://www.portlandonline.com/fish/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2013, a shuffling of bureaus among the commissioners by Mayor Hales saw Fish assigned the Bureau of Environment Services and the [Portland Water Bureau](/source/Portland_Water_Bureau), and placed in charge of the [Regional Arts & Culture Council](/source/Regional_Arts_%26_Culture_Council).<ref name=oreg-2013jun>{{cite news|last=Kost|first=Ryan|title=Hales shuffles city bureaus<!-- (print-edition headline)-->|newspaper=[The Oregonian](/source/The_Oregonian)|date=June 4, 2013|page=B1|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2013/06/mayor_charlies_hales_assigns_c.html|accessdate=June 7, 2013|archive-date=June 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611134410/http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2013/06/mayor_charlies_hales_assigns_c.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Fish and his wife lived for 20 years in Northeast Portland before renting an apartment in [Goose Hollow](/source/Goose_Hollow%2C_Portland%2C_Oregon) towards the end of Nick's life.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.portlandoregon.gov/fish/47688|title=Meet Nick {{!}} The City of Portland, Oregon|website=www.portlandoregon.gov|access-date=2019-11-18|archive-date=2019-11-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118023609/https://www.portlandoregon.gov/fish/47688|url-status=live}}</ref>

Fish was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2017/08/portland_commissioner_nick_fis_3.html|title=Portland Commissioner Nick Fish diagnosed with cancer|last=Oregonian/OregonLive|first=Jessica Floum {{!}} The|date=2017-08-17|website=oregonlive|language=en|access-date=2019-11-18|archive-date=2019-11-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118023606/https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2017/08/portland_commissioner_nick_fis_3.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kgw.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/straight-talk/commissioner-fish-says-hes-blessed-with-support-while-battling-cancer-hopes-wheeler-runs-for-second-term/283-008bee5d-8f6f-4290-aade-4a010662bd93|title=Commissioner Fish says he's blessed with support while battling cancer, hopes Wheeler runs for second term|website=KGW|access-date=2019-11-18|archive-date=2019-11-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118023618/https://www.kgw.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/straight-talk/commissioner-fish-says-hes-blessed-with-support-while-battling-cancer-hopes-wheeler-runs-for-second-term/283-008bee5d-8f6f-4290-aade-4a010662bd93|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 31, 2019, Fish said he was no longer able to carry out his work as a commissioner and announced his plan to resign upon the election of a successor.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.portlandoregon.gov/fish/article/750598 |title=A Message to the Community from Commissioner Nick Fish |access-date=2020-01-03 |archive-date=2020-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101082645/https://www.portlandoregon.gov/fish/article/750598 |url-status=live }}</ref> Two days later, Fish died at his home in Portland, Oregon from stomach cancer. He was 61 years old.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://katu.com/news/local/portland-city-commissioner-nick-fish-dies-from-stomach-cancer |title=Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish dead from stomach cancer |access-date=2020-01-03 |archive-date=2020-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103003825/https://katu.com/news/local/portland-city-commissioner-nick-fish-dies-from-stomach-cancer |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Nick Fish}}
{{Portal|Oregon}}
*[https://www.portlandoregon.gov/fish/ Commissioner Nick Fish] on City of Portland website

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fish, Nick}}
Category:1958 births
Category:2020 deaths
Category:21st-century Oregon politicians
Category:Deaths from stomach cancer in Oregon
Nicholas Stuyvesant
Category:Harvard University alumni
Category:Lawyers from New York City
Category:Lawyers from Portland, Oregon
Category:Northeastern University School of Law alumni
Category:Oregon Democrats
Category:People from Millbrook, New York
Category:Portland City Council members (Oregon)
Category:United States congressional aides

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Nick Fish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Fish) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Fish?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.