Gregory "Greg" John Mistell

Gregory John Mistell lost his year-long battle with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) on 5/10/2024. Per his request, Greg made it home from the hospital for the last 9 hours of his life surrounded by family and friends.

Cherished husband of Lisa O'Leary-Mistell, they shared 24 incredible years together. Greg was born in Mount Clemens, MI. The son of Genevieve and John Mistell, and baby brother to his beloved sisters Carol and Sherry. He attended Mount Louis Catholic elementary school in Mount Clemens, MI, Bloomfield Hills High School, then attended 3 1/2 years of university in Michigan but left before he graduated to be with his mother when his dad was sick.

After his father passed, Greg left Michigan to head west to California where he spent the next two years in beautiful Marin County before traveling up to Alaska where he crabbed, camped and worked on the pipeline. In Alaska he discovered he had an immediate connection with the awe-inspiring, rugged beauty of the state and stayed there for the next two years. Always an adventurer, he headed back to California and soon afterwards up to Seattle.

Once in Seattle, Greg was forever grateful for his refined training by a Master French baker whom he credited for his successful baking career. His lifelong passion for baking walked him through bakeries, baking schools, and worldwide bakery competitions, all of which contributed to what he insisted was the best baking of his life at Fleur de Lis Bakery in our very own neighborhood. His love for fine food and good bread was an intrinsic part of who he was. He once was the master of ceremonies for a dinner with Julia Child hosted by the Bread Baker’s guild. The time he spent at the table with her that evening was something he considered to be a highlight in his life.

Greg was a member of Madeleine Parish, Hollywood boosters, and Riverside golf and country club. Golf was an integral part of his life and something he enjoyed sharing with his family whenever possible. He took great pride in knowing that he was the inspiration behind his son Mikey’s passion for golf.

Greg loved sports. The Blazers, Mariners and Seahawks were his top three teams, if they were playing, we were either at the game or cheering them on from home. Nothing filled his heart more than coaching the kids in their various sports during their elementary school years. He took great pride in watching them play and rarely, if ever, missed a game. Camping, boating, making people laugh, turning nothing into an adventure, trips to Europe, gardening together at home, spontaneous trips to the beach, Mount Hood and Bend were among his favorite hobbies. He loved woodworking, playing his Martin guitar, listening to music for hours on end, movies, baking, cooking for friends and family, driving the back roads, solitary trips to LA twice a year to visit his son Ryan and walking his beloved dog Daisy, all were part of who Greg was as a person, but far and away his greatest love was being a father and husband. Just being home together was when he was the happiest. He took immense pride in making sure his family was always loved and cared for. He often said, those were values instilled in him by his own father.

Aside from his masterful baking skills, he will be remembered for his compassion, humility, honor, excellence, integrity and excellent cooking skills. Greg was a fierce protector, passionate about anything he loved. He had a wicked humor that could be so dry, unless you had the same kind of humor, it was sometimes missed. His work ethic was unmatched and was an inspiration for many of us. Greg’s devotion, love, care and dedication to his family, close friends and Fleur de Lis will be his legacy. Moving forward without him both at the bakery and at home will be challenging for all of us but using him as an inspiration and believing he is always with us in spirit, we will do our best to honor him.

Preceded in death by his son Johnny; his parents, John and Genevieve Mistell; his father-in-law, Bill Park; sister, Carol Zenas; and his sister-in-law Patricia Park.

He is survived by his soulmate, Lisa; his beloved children, Emily, Holly (Julio), Alisen, Ryan and Mikey; his sister, Sherry Billings (husband Doug); brother-in-law Stan Zenas (wife Carol); brother-in-law, John Park (wife Kenna); mother-in-law, Kathleen Park(husband Bill); nephews, Jeff, David, Jim, Mark, John (their wives and children); nephew, Christian; niece, Jackie (husband Mark); beautiful grandchildren, Josie and Julia; as well as many extended family and friends. Special mention to his much loved Fleur de Lis family and devoted friends Larry Shawn, Bernie Rios, Bob Bloom, Tom McMahon, and Bill Wagner. We are sure Greg is playing golf with his close friends and golf partners Gary Holland and Cliff Brucchi (who have gone before him). May they all have enough time to get their first hole in one. Greg would want nothing more than that we continue to live this life with all the love, laughter, and warmth that he shared with us.

A funeral mass for Gregory will be held Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. Mary Magdelene Catholic Church (The Madeleine), 3123 NE 24th Ave, Portland, OR 97212.