Obituary of Michael Raymond Kaiser

Michael Kaiser, beloved husband of Sandi Kaiser (nee Lainof), of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the age of 76 years.

Mike was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on February 9, 1948, to Raymond and Carol Kaiser. He and his brothers Raymond Jr., and Greg moved often due to their father’s work, so Mike’s childhood years were spread across America: Milwaukee, St. Paul, Chicago, Nashville, and St. Louis.

Despite starting his undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania, he decided to move to Canada with his parents and brother Greg in 1968 and transferred to the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg.

While in university, Mike met Sandi, and they were married in 1975. They welcomed two daughters, Eliyanna and Lara in 1979 and 1982, and then relocated to Calgary.

Mike always enjoyed mathematics and worked briefly as a stockbroker and then as a CPA. Most of his career was spent as Comptroller of Davidson Enman Lumber in Calgary, where he developed many strong friendships.

Mike was an incredible cook, and he loved hosting extravagant meals for family and friends. He had an incredible mind for facts, general knowledge in virtually all disciplines, and trivia. He loved spending months writing and perfecting trivia tournaments, which he hosted at his home and bars and restaurants around the city, often as fundraisers benefiting various charities. He loved golfing, NHL hockey and NFL football pools, Broadway musicals, a good police procedural series, and always had five to ten books he was reading at the same time. He took every opportunity possible to spend time with his grandchildren, attending their debate tournaments and science fairs, Irish step-dancing competitions all over North America, and flying to New York City to spend time with his grandchildren there.

Mike traveled as much as he could with his brother Greg and sister-in-law Danielle, as well as his sisters-in-law, Sue and Jodie, and their husbands, Harry and Mike. Some memorable vacations included New York City, Washington DC, Tuscany, Rome, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, many trips across the Rockies, and a recent Alaskan cruise.

Besides his loving wife Sandi, Mike is survived by his two daughters and sons-in-law, Eliyanna Kaiser and Haven Bernstein of Queens, New York, and Lara Mason and Chris Mason of Calgary, Alberta; five grandchildren, Leo Kaiser, Hugo Kaiser, and Dashiell Kaiser-Bernstein of Queens, New York, and Ariel Mason and Mia Mason of Calgary, Alberta.

Mike is also survived by his brother Greg Kaiser and sister-in-law Danielle Kaiser of London, Ontario; sister-in-law Susan Bojarski and brother-in-law Harry Bojarski of Thornhill, Ontario; sister-in-law Jodie Goldberg and brother-in-law Michael Goldberg of Orangeville, Ontario; sister-in-law Beth Kaiser; as well as numerous nieces, cousins, and friends.

Mike was predeceased by his parents, Raymond and Carol Kaiser, and his brother Raymond Kaiser Jr.

The family expresses their sincere gratitude to Dr. Jodie Ornstein, Dr. Cynthia Card, Anna and her colleagues from the Alberta Health Services Palliative Home Care team, the nursing and home care staff from Caregivers Home Health Care, and also to Dr. Rattanjeet Vig and his colleagues at MAID. Thank you all for your kindness, support, and professionalism, and for giving Mike autonomy, dignity, compassion, and an incredible standard of care during his illness and passing.

A Gathering to remember and celebrate Mike’s life will be held on Monday, December 30, 2024, at The Hamptons Golf Club, 69 Hamptons Dr., NW, Calgary, AB at 2:00 p.m. A virtual link will be provided for those who cannot in attend in person.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Provincial Office, Sun Life Place, 710, 10123 – 99th Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3H1 Telephone: 1(866) 412-4222, www.albertacancer.ca/in-memory.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Mike’s family here.

In living memory of Michael Kaiser, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.