Michael Kain

Michael "Mijo" Kain

August 10, 1939 – January 22, 2023

“A gentleman knows his actions carry more weight than any word spoken.” – Anonymous

Michael’s “girls” are deeply saddened to announce the death of our wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He was a sweet, quiet, kind man who greatly loved his family, gardening, industrious work, singing, dancing and a good hat.

Born of 1 of 9 children in Jaśkovo, Croatia, he left home at 17, eventually making his way to Canada. One day, Michael saw a friend’s sister, visiting from Belgrade, wandering into the kitchen wearing a bathrobe, her hair wrapped in a towel. He knew instantly (and announced) that she was the one for him.

For the next 59 years, their love story grew with their two daughters, Anita (Warren) & Gloria (Darryl), and three granddaughters, Lauren (Craig), Rebecca & Natalie. Michael was even awaiting a great grandchild this summer, whom he will love from heaven above.

He was surrounded by loving friends, neighbours (especially Vicky, Ged & Angie, and Camille & Chris) and family, and is now missed terribly by his brothers, Mirko (Kathy) & Blaj (Danica), cousin, Steve (Ljuba),and sister Katica as well as many nieces and nephews. The list goes on to include the many people he helped to make the move to Canada. Anyone who met Mike soon discovered his giving, helpful nature and warm, welcoming heart.

As an added bonus, there was absolutely nothing that Michael couldn’t fix. A millwright with Hayes-Dana for almost 32 years, engineers would often gather to assess a problem with one of the massive and complex machines, and talk about calling in expensive experts. With a twinkle in his eye, Michael would say, “Give me a week!” Problem solved. His family certainly learned to rely on those strong, capable hands.

A “morning bird”, he always rose early, but would get lonely waiting for anyone else to join him – so he would walk up and down the hall, tweeting like his feathered friends, to try to wake everyone up. He saw beauty in everything, and found joy everywhere. Michael drove the family to Florida, across Canada and through Europe, always yelling out (to sleepy passengers who had often nodded off), “Look at the tree! Look at the mountain! Look at the river!” If you were in Dad’s car (or the big red truck, which was a special place for his granddaughters), life was good.

Seka and Michael’s song was “Spanish Eyes” and, no matter where they were, as soon as it came on, he would embrace her in a whirling waltz. He taught his daughters and granddaughters to dance, too, and was always first on and last off the floor at any wedding or celebration. Even as his memory failed and he grew quieter, Mike would “come back” through a special song, filling the room with his beautiful voice.

He was his family’s biggest cheerleader, and had such faith and pride in all his girls. Education was everything! For every diploma or degree received, he would hug the graduate, look her in the eye and say, “How about one more?” – always supporting them 100%.

Thank you to the exceptional staff at Tabor Manor, St. Catharines, and special gratitude to his loving caregiver, Zsuzsanna Johnson, and appreciation for the support of Aisha Kone.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, January 25th, 2 to 6 p.m. at BOCCHINFUSO FUNERAL HOME 2 Regent Street, Thorold.   A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, January 26th, 12 p.m. at ST. ANTHONY CATHOLIC CHURCH 360 River Rd, Welland.   Rite of Committal is at Pleasantview Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, and in honour of one of Michael’s favourite women, the family gratefully invites donations to support pancreatic cancer research at Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation (https://thepmcf.ca/).

To celebrate this remarkable gentleman and gentle man, please practice random acts of kindness, plant a garden, learn something new, or dance like no one is watching.