Obituary of Ely Fishkin

Ely Margolin Fishkin
July 5, 1941 – June 30, 2026

Ely Margolin Fishkin passed away at home, with family, on June 30, 2026, at the age of 84.

Ely was born on July 5, 1941, in Brooklyn, New York. He spent the first four years of his life in Mexico before his family settled in Baltimore, Maryland, where he was raised and took to the lacrosse field. He began his college career at Johns Hopkins University before transferring to the University of Michigan, where he met Barbara Ann Bercutt, the woman who would become his wife of 53 years.

Shortly after graduating and drawn by their shared love of skiing and the Rocky Mountains, Ely and Barbara moved to Denver, Colorado and never looked back.

Ely and Barbara raised two children, Michael and Stephanie, and shared their home over the years with beloved dogs, including show Old English Sheepdogs and Golden Retrievers. Barbara passed away in 2017 after living with Parkinson's disease, and Ely carried her memory with him always.

Ely started his architecture career at Minoru Yamasaki's firm. Once in Denver, Ely took a job with Paul Pierson, who did a lot of post offices including the engineering aspects. Ely said it was a wonderful rounding out for a young architect. Subsequently, he worked for Charles Sink. After Ely returned from active duty in the National Guard, he worked with Leon Brin. Ely was made partner in 1970, and the name was changed to Fishkin Brin Architects. The partnership split in 1977, and Ely opened his own sole proprietorship, Fishkin & Assoc., Architects and Planners.

An avid skier and lifelong lover of sports cars, Ely was deeply involved with Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing, where he served on the board and both organized and drove in the annual Concours d'Elegance street race in Steamboat Springs.

Ely is survived by his two children, Michael Fishkin and Stephanie (Fishkin) Kiley, and two grandsons, Benjamin and William Kiley.
 

Information about a memorial for Ely Fishkin

July 28, 2026 from 11:00AM to 1:00PM

Lady Justice Brewing

3242 S. Acoma Street

Englewood, CO 80113

If you know my dad, you know he loved cars. Many of you do too. It would be an apt celebration of Ely’s life to include a mini impromptu car show. To that end, I encourage you to drive to the celebration of life in cars that my Dad (or those of us attending the celebration) would appreciate.

We plan to live stream the event for those of you who cannot attend in person. 

Stay tuned for a livestream link

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS: If you'd like to give, donations can be made in his name to the Council on Criminal Justice.

RSVP -- It helps us plan for space and food if you can let us know you're coming:  RSVP BUTTON