Michael F. "Mickey" "Duke" Visk Sr.

Michael F. Visk, Sr., (“Mickey” “Duke”)passed on July 11, 2024. Born in Troy, New York on July 6, 1934 to the late James Visk (Visco) and Anna Colarusso, he is survived by his wife, Clare, son Michael (Sarah) and his beloved grandson, Leo Michael (“my pal”).  He shared an exceptionally close bond with his son.

He is also survived by his niece Anne Ince (Christopher) and their daughter Ashley.

He was predeceased by his brother Anthony (Morris) Visk, his nephew James Visk and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends.

He was baptized in Saint Anthony’s Church in Troy with the priest at the time, registering his baptismal name as Michele Visco. He attended Saint Anthony’s school, class of 1947 & LaSalle Institute in Troy, class of 1951, graduating at the age of 16. After graduation, he worked for Western Electric in the Albany and Rochester areas. Ultimately, he joined his brother and father in the family business Jimmy Visk’s Tavern on Snyder’s Corners.

He was drafted into the United States Army in 1956 and was stationed in Germany and then France. He, with his father, opened the Stewart Arms Nite Club in Lake George, operating the club in the summers of 1960 & 1961. In 1961, he was recalled into the Army and served a year in Georgia. Upon discharge, he operated the Uptown Club in Albany and managed the Lion’s Den in North Troy. From 1970-1973, he worked for his close friends Rudy Ciccotti and Michael Verdile at their nite club in Latham.

As he was a steadfast fan of Frank Sinatra, his cousins John and Mickey Milanese, got him a part as an extra in the Frank Sinatra movie Tony Rome shot in Miami Beach. “As luck would have it”, the scenes were all cut from the movie which was discovered when he went to see the movie with friends.

He was the genesis, founder and owner of The Mousetrap (“Mickey’s”) which he established in 1974 becoming sole owner after the death of his partner. He owned The Mousetrap for over 29 years.

Mickey loved his family and friends above all else. He was a kind and good person described by his cousin Mary Susie as a gentle man and a gentleman. His cousin Mary Rose once noted that the number of decades long friendships he maintained with “top shelf” good, decent people, was a testament to the person Mickey was.

Though we acknowledge how lucky we were to have him as long as we did, he will be greatly missed.

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects from 9-11 am at Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Troy on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. The funeral mass will follow at 11 am. Entombment will be in Saint Mary’s cemetery in Troy. 

Donations in Mickey’s memory may be made to La Salle Institute in Troy, Saint Anthony’s Church in Troy or to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society in Menands, New York

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