Ismael "Ish" Medina Coss

Ismael “Ish” Medina Coss, 87, passed away October 11, 2015 in Olympia, Washington. One of 15 children, he was born August 25, 1928 to Gumercinda Medina and Manuel Coss in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. In his 20s, Ismael came to the United States via New York City and made his way to Washington State to originally work on the railroad. He met and married Estella Rodarte on August 25, 1956, in Olympia, Washington. In April 1959, their first daughter, Lydia Mae, was born in Elgin, Illinois. Two years later in April 1961, their second daughter, Carole Lynne, was born in Enumclaw, Washington. Ismael and Estella were married for 17 years. Over the years, he lived in Puerto Rico, Illinois, Enumclaw, Olympia, Tumwater and Lacey, living the majority of his life in the Olympia area. Ish was a hardworking laborer for 30 years, retiring at the age of 62. He was a proud member of the Laborer’s Union and was just recently acknowledged for his 50 years of membership. As a laborer, he worked on many different construction projects over the years and had a hand in building many community landmarks such as Panorama City, the South Sound Mall, The Evergreen State College, and the Tacoma Dome to name but a few. Ish enjoyed watching the Mariners and game shows on television—his favorite, “The Wheel” (of Fortune). He quite often played his luck at pull tabs. He enjoyed reading the daily newspaper and keeping abreast of all things happening in the area, including who was in the obituaries for the day. You could count on him to know what was being built and where. When it came to construction projects, large or small, in the Olympia area and surrounding counties, Ish knew all the details. Ish appreciated vintage cars and was a collector and restorer of several Ford automobiles. At one point, his fleet consisted of a 1946 Ford sedan, a 1949 Ford coupe, and a 1954 Ford sedan. Ish was also the original do-it-yourselfer. There wasn’t much he couldn’t do, from carpentry and plumbing, to concrete laying and electrical. In the late 1960s, he built his family a home in East Olympia on 10 acres. There he had a menagerie of cows, pigs, rabbits, chickens, pheasants and a couple of Shetland ponies. There he also annually planted and tended a large garden that always included a few tobacco plants. Ismael was handsome, charming, funny, and quick-witted. There are too many Ish-isms to count. He was always hard working; we never knew him to miss a day of work. He was Grandpa Schwilly to his grandkids and great-grandkids. He was a devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and a friend to many. Ismael also enjoyed his many trips to Puerto Rico over the years to visit his large family there. He is survived by his daughters, Lydia (Marty) Hodgkinson of Lacey, WA and Carole (Tim) Brewer of Tumwater, WA; granddaughters, Sara Williams of Lacey, Stefanie (Joey) Pellegrino of Tumwater, and Molly Hodgkinson of Olympia; great grandchildren, Cade Williams of Lacey, Caylie Williams of Lacey, Dylan Hodgkinson of Tumwater, and one on the way; brothers, Ángel, José, Raúl and Otilio; sisters, Rosita and Carmen; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Gumercinda Medina and Manuel Coss; former wife, Estella; brothers, Hilario, Arturo, Miguel and William; and sisters, Josefa, Tomasa, Romona and Beinvenida. Ismael is loved dearly by his family and will be greatly missed always. Please leave memories of Ish or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.