Mishael K. Pius, “Kooya”, passed away January 6, 2025 in Miles City, MT.
Kooya was born in Baghdad, Iraq on July 16, 1939. He was one of 8 children and spent much of his life in Baghdad. In 1999 his brother Basil travelled across the world to Amman, Jordan to get Kooya and move him to Miles City. Basil and Babs Pius looked after Kooya for 19 years. During this time Basil enjoyed taking him places, such as visiting relatives in California, going to the tennis courts to watch brother Basil play, going to parties, parades, and events. Although Kooya didn’t have much to say, it was apparent that he enjoyed people’s energy and attention. He liked listening to music, playing and laughing.
Kooya was preceded in death by his parents, Khamo and Sooriya Pius, brothers and sisters: Mikhael “Minashi” Pius, Christina George, Aprim Pius, Raphael Pios, Melina Oshana and Basil Pius.
He is survived by his sister Nina Lazar and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A service will be held Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Rosary Hospital Chapel.
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
10:30 AM
Thursday January 9, 2025
Holy Rosary Chapel
2600 Wilson
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
10:30 AM
Thursday January 9, 2025
Holy Rosary Chapel
2600 Wilson
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Emily Beeson says
Always a lovely, mischievous smile and watching eye. Basil, Babs and family loved him so! We were grateful to know him. My thoughts are with the Pius family.
Michelle simpson says
Dear Babs, I am so sorry for the loss of your brother-in-law. You were an amazing caregiver and he absolutely loved the siite
of you. He was happy every time he saw you. You’re a very special and there is a special place in heaven for someone with such a kind heart You gave him a life. He never expected and he was so well treated and loved and he loved you on return God bless you
Diane Welbes says
Pius’ so sorry to see this–you all have been such tremendous care takers–My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Martha Crandall says
My sympathy
Diane Welbes says
Pius family, so sorry to see this–you all have been such awesome caretakers–Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Curt, Patsy and Toby-Jeanne says
We are praying for you all. Kooya is finally free. With our love, the Almys.
Denise Harvey says
Fly with the angels and your precious brother Basil!! What a joyous reunion!
Joanne Richardson says
Babs and Family, Both you and Basil were so devoted in caring for Kooya. Wherever you were out visiting together, Kooya would have a big smile on his face. May he now rest in peace and may God Bless you for all that you did for him.
Karen Morris says
My deepest sympathy on the passing of Kooya. My fondest memory will always be when he came out to see Jobie. Kooya was always surrounded by love.
Kim Stanton says
Dear Babs and family,
So very sorry to read Kooya passed. The entire family surrounded him with love and treasured every day with him. May the peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit envelop each of you.
With heartfelt condolences,,
Kim Stanton
Jamie Metzenberg says
What a joy to know Kooya! Sending love to Babs, Sarah, the Pius family and his extended family and caregivers. May he rest eternally.
Lilly Pius Thomas says
A hug from me to you Babs to let you know that today and every day, you are in my heart and thoughts. I’m so sorry for your loss. We all have special memories with uncle Kooya that make smile, one thing that comforts us is knowing for sure, he will be an angel in heaven because he did not break any of the Ten Commandments .
My deepest condolences ,
Lilly Pius Thomas
Marta George says
He was always with us at our home in Doura Bagdad .my late Mom was his older sister who loved him and took care of him as he was baby tell 1998 when my late uncle Basil took him to U.S. to help my Mom . Kooya is an Angel 👼 with Jesus and all Saints in Heaven . Thank you my cousins in Montana in taking care of him . We love you ♥️God bless you all . Kooya we will be missed ♥️😇🙏🕯️
Linda Ewan - London says
Our condolences to the Pius family, so sorry for your loss. We remember Kooya from Iraq when we used to visit the family, he was always surrounded by his loving and caring family who have taken good care of him till the end, may he rest in peace.
Maryam George says
RIP uncle koya, you are in haven with angels 😇 😢 uor condolences to my dear Babs and all my cousins 😢 ❤️ God bless you 🙏 ❤️ lulu & James
Helen Yohanna says
I always remember his laugh and happy face especially when to saw my brother Pula ,
Rest In Peace cousin Kooya, you are in a better place with all our heavenly family, my deepest condolences to dear Babs your an angel God bless you 🙏❤️
Jackie Stroh says
God Bless you Kooya!!! Always such a happy go lucky spirit!! Rest In peace!! Condolences to his family!
Sandi Raganowski says
We are deeply sorry to hear about the passing of our Uncle Kooya. Please accept our heartfelt condolences to the Pius family during this difficult time.
May his soul rest in peace, and may you and your family find strength and comfort in the many memories you shared with him and in knowing how much he meant to so many people.
~ George Family
Louise de Montigny says
My condolences to the Pius family. Kooya had adventures and much love during his life. Blessings to you all.
Hollowell Family says
Babs, Sarah & all the Pius family,
We are so sorry to hear about Kooya passing away! He is such a joyous soul. We LOVED our visits to the Pius household to enjoy amazing company, along with a little game of kicking or throwing a ball in the house to make Kooya laugh. His laugh is the best laugh on this earth! It brought a smile and usually a belly laugh to anyone’s face. Those are such good memories! He will be missed by all of us! We love you all dearly and are lifting you up in prayer. Hugs to each of you!
Jen Frazer says
My love to the Pius Family.
Peace be to you.
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
My sincere sympathy to all of Kooya’s family and friends. He was very loved by Basil & Babs and they took very good care of him.
Yousif Philip says
I remember Kooya with his contagious laugh. He loved my brother Philip and cousin Avia the most. As soon as he sees them, he would smile move left and right and start giving them stuff !!
RIP cousin .
Dear Baba what you and late cousin Basil did , is unbelievable. God bless you and I pray to the Homy Mother be with you .
Cousin Osi Shumon
Philip philip and family says
Dear Babs, thank you so much for taking a great care of our cousin Kooya. Your selfless care and compassion made a significant difference in his life. We will always remember him and his smile. May his soul rest in peace
Ellen Hart says
I am so sorry to hear of Kooya’s passing. I didn’t see this notice until after the funeral. I would have been there. Babs you were so wonderful to him for so many years as was Basil! You were his special angels here on Earth. I loved visiting all of you so many times in your home.
Ator Philip Khamoo says
Dear God, we humbly ask you to receive the sweet soul of your son Kooya who lived as pure as a child on earth, and as Your Son said let the little ones come to me, cousin Kooya had answered his Creator’s call, we are sure not only he has been reunited with his beloved but they will all be looking down and asking the All Mighty in Jesus’ Holiest Name to bless all the kind people and their families who looked after him lead by dearest Babs and her team of angels, our condolences goes to all our dearest cousins from Kooya’s family (or Guy as he used to answer to 🥰), may they only celebrate happy occasions from now on, dearest cousins, you all are in our thoughts and prayers, we love and miss you all, God bless 🙏✝️🕯️🕊️
John Benjain says
God Rest Mishael Pius in peace. Sorry we saw this to not on time. Our condolences to the entire family specially to Babs family. Bab you were his second mother, God bless you and your family, to adopt Kooya as son and look after him or so many years. God bless and keep you and your family healthy and happy. With our sincere appreciation and thanks . ✝️🙏
Kira Niece says
Such fond memories of this sweet soul! That smile and mischievous giggle!
Shumon Pius says
Kooya was my Uncle. My father, Basil, had to go through quite an arduous legal process to go get Kooya out of Iraq back in 1999 and legally bring him to Miles City to care for him. Prior to that, My Aunt Christina had been his caregiver in the Baghdad area for decades, so God bless her, also, for caring for Kooya before he came into my Baba’s care. I am also thankful to the staff at the County Rest Home for your care of Kooya for the remainder of his days after Baba fell ill several years ago and was no longer able to care for him.
Sadly, the last and youngest of the 8 Pius siblings from Iraq, my Auntie Nina, passed away just last night after a long illness. She joins Kooya in heaven 11 days after he passed. I love them all. May they rest in peace and enjoy the paradise of Heaven.