deeply saddened to hear of nicks passing . I had the pleasure of meeting nick through my father Bernie gerl . my father played for Duluth and nick for st . cloud they player against each other but tipped a few after the game and became friends . I live in the st . cloud area when my dad would visit we would get together with nick . hour after hour story after story . after my dad passed I would have lunch with nick . nick was a treasure . I will miss talking with him .there must have been a call out for a good ballplayer . nick is in the starting lineup !
Nicholas J "Nick" Chanaka
October 15, 1927 – January 26, 2026
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026 at St. Mary’s Cathedral upper church in St. Cloud for Nick Chanaka, age 98, of St. Cloud. Nick died peacefully on Monday, January 26 at Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St. Augusta. Visitation will begin after 9 a.m. on Monday at the church. Entombment will take place in the Assumption Cemetery Mausoleum with full military honors.
Nick was born October 15, 1927 in Washington, DC, the youngest of six children, to James and Helen (Karadimos) Chanaka, both immigrants from Greece. He grew up with a passion to play Major League Baseball. He graduated from Western High School in DC and was the first baseman on the high school city championship team. Following high school, Nick joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in South Korea. He was later honorably discharged as a WWII era veteran.
Upon his return home, he was signed by the New York baseball Giants and his first minor league assignment was to play first base for the St. Cloud Rox in the Northern League in 1948. A serious knee injury suffered in a Rox game ended Nick’s professional baseball career.
While in St. Cloud, Nick met the love of his life Eleanor “Bobbie” Weisbrich. They married at St. Mary’s Cathedral on September 16, 1950. He worked in automobile sales for over 64 years.
Nick’s passion for baseball continued for the rest of his life through his playing amateur baseball and coaching at the youth, high school and amateur levels. In 2000, he was inducted into the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame. Well into his 80s, he proudly served on the coaching staff of the St. Cloud Cathedral baseball team during their state championship runs.
Nick is survived by his children Mike (Mary Jo) Chanaka of St. Michael, Patti (Les) Anderson of Maple Grove, Kathy Chanaka of St. Cloud and John Chanaka of St. Cloud, his grandchildren Jamey (Cathy), Shannon (Brian), Stephanie (Chad), James (Trisha), Andrew (Greta) and Kyle, his great grandchildren Carter, Lyla Jo, Abby, Tyler, Addison, Brady, Benjamin, Anna (John Paul), his great great grandchildren Jordan and Emerick, his sister-in-law Jeanne Weisbrich and many nieces and nephews.
Nick is preceded in death by his parents, wife of nearly 60 years Bobbie, sister Pat, and brothers Anthony, Alec, Paul and George.
A sincere thank you to Nick’s home caretaker John Chanaka for his dedicated and loving care that kept Nick happy and healthy for the past many years.
Special thanks to the teams at CentraCare Home Hospice and Quiet Oaks Hospice House.
Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.
Guestbook
Mike, Patty, Kathy and John:
I was so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. He was a good coach and an even better man. Always warm and friendly with a quick joke at the ready. I remember many good times and talks with him over the years – he was also a good friend to my dad Ed Medeck. I know you will miss him but remember the good times and be comforted.
Nick is a dear friend to Karen and me; we have a special place for him in our hearts. When we moved to Saint Cloud 25 years ago and went to our 1st mass at Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Nick was an usher and went out of his way to introduce himself and the church. It was our 1st impression of the church and Nick made us feel so welcomed. Every Sunday he was there at mass to great us and our families. We loved the visits with Nick before and after mass, loved his stories (and jokes). My brother-in-law Gene and I had coffee and breakfast a couple times with Nick and very much enjoyed his baseball stories. He’s going to be a fantastic greater in heaven. Our sympathies to the family, Steve and Karen Irlbeck
Nick was a great person and a great baseball man. It was always a pleasure to visit with him.
Chanaka family members, we are sad to hear of Nicholas, Nick’s passing. Nick will now have Christ’s love of eternal life in heaven. May you find peace in this time of sorrow, may Christ the resurrection and life, send comfort to your heart.
Nick was a great friend of Rober Schultz, my father-in-law, New Ulm MN and they played together for the St. Cloud Rox’s. Nick was a friend to all and will be missed and never forgotten. May God be with him in eternal life. Amen
🙂 < 😉 < 😉 <;-) < 😉 < 😉
Have a blessed and fruitful day!
Brad Isberner
Professor Emeritus
R.I.P, Nick! 🙏
Nick was my dad’s uncle on his mother’s (Marie Weisbrick Rinkel) side. Dad, Richard Rinkel, had a naval flying career from FL to Hawaii to RI. We went to St. Cloud often and I have fond memories of cookouts and family reunions with Nick, Bobby and many other family members. A grocery store was built on the ball field and a metal “home plate” was installed. That store is no longer there. A wonderful man; love his smile.
Nick was a very fine man and wonderful coach. It was an honor to play for him on the St Cloud Park amateur team. Condolences to the Chanaka family and all who knew Nick.
Mike, Patti, Kathy, John-
I am so sorry for your loss. I have many fond memories of your dad. Being a great friend to my dad, Ed Medeck. Ushering and greeting parishioners at St. Mary’s, always with a warm smile. Buying my first two cars from him. And coaching Mike and Dave’s team to the Little League championship. I pray that your memories help you through the difficult days ahead.
Lynne Medeck Harris
A legend in the dugouts of St.Cloud.
The Chanakas and Conroys! The definition of neighbor and community. Across the alley from one another my entire life; always knowing if we needed help with anything, just call Nick! I know you are resting in peace after a life well lived❣️
There was no finer person than my uncle Nick. I had the privilege to know him my entire life. He was a man of integrity & great faith. He made so many friends over the years in sports, car sales & church. He was the “honest car salesman” that took care of generations of families. He will be missed here but is now happy with my aunt Bobbie as well as the rest of both families. So happy we were able to get together each year. With much love, Susan
More than neighbor, more than friend, it was being family living just across the alley over a lifetime for our whole Conroy family. Nick’s fierce sport interest was such fun and blended well with his ever “strong” gentleness and thoughtfulness. Oh, he shall be dearly missed.
Conroy family
RIP my friend. You have always been in my life and thoughts. You will be missed dearly.
Services
Schedule Details
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026 at St. Mary’s Cathedral upper church in St. Cloud for Nick Chanaka, age 98, of St. Cloud. Nick died peacefully on Monday, January 26 at Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St. Augusta. Visitation will begin after 9 a.m. on Monday at the church. Entombment will take place in the Assumption Cemetery Mausoleum with full military honors.