Michael Kalish

What mattered most to Michael were the people in his life. He was deeply devoted to his parents and his brother, Richard. That same devotion would define the family he later built with Myra - his wife of 58 years, their three children and, perhaps most of all, the four grandchildren who knew him simply as Papa. Michael was fiercely loyal to the people and dogs he loved, always looking out for those around him, often more than he looked out for himself.

Michael and Myra were, quite simply, a pair. They often even showed up dressed alike without giving it a second thought. Where you found one, the other was rarely far away.

Their partnership extended into just about everything. When Myra became known to countless people as the “Kugel Lady,” Michael was there, doing whatever Myra needed to support her catering business. Even the smallest routines reflected their life together: a shared plate of mussels at The Shanty, an adventure in the aisles of countless grocery stores, or a walk around the Botanic Gardens. Even a stop at the Lake Forest Starbucks meant an iced Americano for Michael and a Venti ice water for Myra.

Together, Michael and Myra raised their three children, Jason, Andrew and Beth, in Highland Park. Michael was a devoted father, but becoming Papa to Olivia, Max, Jacob and Eli brought him a special kind of joy. Papa showed up. Whatever his grandchildren were doing, he wanted to be there - supporting them, encouraging them and taking tremendous pride in each of them. They were, without question, among the greatest joys of his life.

Michael was determined, strong-minded and fiercely loyal. He was a storyteller and never particularly interested in keeping his opinions to himself - especially when politics entered the conversation (and it always entered the conversation). Michael could always find humor in the seemingly endless mishegas created by his children and grandchildren.

If there was one place where Michael was completely in his element, however, it was outside. A natural green thumb, Michael’s yard was the envy of the neighborhood. In his prime, there may have been no better picture of Michael than outside, working on that lawn.

He was also the person family could call when something around the house needed fixing. He knew the solution to most everything. Michael believed in taking care of things - and more importantly, taking care of people.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Julian and Martha Kalish, and his brother, Richard H. Kalish. He is survived by his wife and partner of 58 years, Myra; his children, Jason Kalish, Andrew Kalish, and Beth Kalish and her husband, Scott Schwartz; and his beloved grandchildren, Olivia and Max Kalish and Jacob Sandor and Eli Schwartz. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Ellie Kalish; nieces Jill Kalish and her husband, Steve Pilon, and Pamela Kalish and her partner, Darrell Crowley; and extended family and friends who experienced the loyalty Michael showed to those fortunate enough to be part of his life.

Michael leaves behind a lesson that his family learned as much from watching him live as from anything he could have told them:

Don't give up. Stay loyal.

And Michael did both.