Gregory Kaidanov

Gregory Kaidanov was born in Leningrad on May 20, 1938. During college, while studying mechanical engineering, he met and fell in love with Sofia Treister. They married in 1961 and had one daughter, Anna. In the Soviet Union, he worked for almost 20 years in the pulp and paper industry. In 1977, he immigrated to the United States with his family. They started their new life in Bangor, Maine, and moved to the Boston area soon after, where Gregory worked at Polaroid for two decades. Soon after moving to Newton, Gregory joined Temple Emanuel, becoming an integral part of the community until very recently. Gregory held several leadership roles, including serving as the Temple Emanuel Brotherhood President from 2003-2005, and he earned the Keeper of the Flame award in 2007.

Gregory was very generous with his time, energy, and resources, never hesitating to help out a friend (or a stranger), volunteering at the Boston Marathon year after year, donating to dozens of charities, and driving his four grandchildren around to all their various extracurricular activities. He fostered a rich circle of friends and family, and he always enjoyed a game of chess, backgammon, or cards, along with a lively conversation. His friendships ran deep, spanning decades and continents. Likewise, his commitment to his hobbies and activities never wavered: whether it be his daily swims, Hebrew classes, his checkers career, skiing, skating, or rollerblading.

His relationship with Sofia also spanned over six decades, and was a beautiful thing to behold. From the early days of their romance, Gregory was steadfast in his admiration, respect, and support of Sofia. They were two wildly different personalities -- Sofia a classy and cultured introvert, and Greg a boisterous extrovert with limitless energy who enjoyed life's simple pleasures. Together, they lived in harmony and devotion to each other and their family. Gregory took loving care of Sofia throughout their lives, up to and including her battle with Parkinson's.

Gregory loved everyone and everyone loved him. He was a role model to us all and devoted himself wholeheartedly to his family, his community, and his wife. He always had a joke on his lips and a drink in his hand, ready to share both with whoever was willing to receive. May we all have his warm heart, drive and determination, joyful optimism, and love of life. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Gregory is survived by his daughter Anna (and her husband Gene), his sister Zinaida, his grandchildren Joseph (and his wife Abby), Sara, Esther, and Benjamin.