Mihaly Kristof (né Kohn)

Holocaust Survivor

Mihaly ‘Michael’ Kristof departed this world on Tuesday August 18 in his 92nd year. He was held by the love of his life for 63 years, Sheila, in the moments of his passing at home. His children, Arnie and Julie, were brought up to persevere, work hard, laugh with abandon and to cherish family. Michael also placed great importance on art, music and culture which he shared with joy. He built loving relationships with Annie Tessier, his daughter-in-law and Murray Yazer, his son-in-law. He was incredibly proud and loved his grandchildren, Carl, Ema, Ben; Alex and Mimi. 

Michael was born Mihaly Kohn in Budapest in 1934 to Ilona and Arnold Kohn. He is pre-deceased by his older brother and best friend, Sanyi (Eva, niece Vera). During the war, he lived in the Budapest ghetto with his grandmother after his father perished in Auschwitz. His mother and brother survived Ravensbruck and a work camp in Bor, respectively. Reunited with his remaining family after the war, he ultimately fled overland to an Austrian refugee camp after the Hungarian revolution in 1956 leaving his family behind for a new life in Canada.

In Montreal, he worked his way up from fur cutter to part-time student at Sir George Williams, where he earned his accounting degree. He had a distinguished career with successive firms, during which time his clients knew him as fiercely loyal and an exceptional strategist. He and Sheila built a beautiful life. He valued family time filled with laughter, love, and sport, including downhill skiing and waterskiing, camping, and cottage weekends.

Although his heart failure precluded extreme sports in later years, he continued to serve his clients, attend birthday celebrations and say the kiddush on shabbatot until the last weeks of his life.

He had a full life and he will be sorely missed.

Many thanks to Lisa, Elizabeth and Linda who helped him live his last days with dignity and at home; and Hossein from CLSC. Also to Lelia at the Royal Victoria Hospital Heart Failure Clinic, whose attention, creativity, compassion and collaboration kept him alive and active longer than we had ever hoped.

Funeral service from Paperman and Sons, 3888 Jean-Talon St. W., on Friday, August 21 at 11:00 a.m. Burial at the Hebrew Protective Section, Kehal Israel Cemetery, D.D.O. Shiva at his daughter’s home Friday to Sunday, continuing at his home Monday to Wednesday. Donations in his honor can be made to the Montreal Holocaust Museum, Survivor Stories Program at (514) 345-2605 or click here, or the Royal Victoria Hospital, Heart Failure Clinic at 514-934-1934 x 34147 or click here