Longtime casino exec Kalish dies

Thursday, Oct. 14, 1999 | 9:34 a.m.

Louis M. Kalish, a casino executive in Las Vegas for 30 years and father of Silver State Disposal President Steve Kalish, died Tuesday in Las Vegas at age 85.

A Mass will be celebrated at St. Viator Catholic Church, 2461 East Flamingo Road, Friday at 12:30 p.m.

Kalish was born Aug. 31, 1914, in St. Louis. As a Marine, Kalish received special commendation for service under heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire. He participated in the Allies' invasion and capture of Saipan, Marianas Islands, in the summer of 1944.

Kalish, a Las Vegas resident for 45 years, worked as a casino executive at the Tropicana and Desert Inn for more than 30 years. He was founding fund-raiser for St. Christopher Catholic Church in North Las Vegas and an active member of the Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his wife, Victoria; two sons, Steve and Lou; two daughters, Marcia Martin and Shiela De Francesco; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; his brother, Michael, and his sister, Violet Rudolph.

The Kalish family requests that any donations be made to Catholic Community Services of Nevada.