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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
KALM, Michael (Mihkel) - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Michael (Mihkel) Kalm, of Niagara-on-the-Lake, on Sunday, October 16. Michael was born on June 8, 1941, in Tallinn, Estonia, to Georg and Maimo Kalm during the Russian occupation. In 1943 his parents fled Estonia with Michael and his older sister Merike. Travelling via Finland and Sweden they arrived at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on May 22, 1950. After leaving Port Credit High School he served in the Canadian Navy for five years. This is where he fostered his love for sailing and the freedom of the open seas. A famous and often quoted 19th century naval order was, "Damn the torpedoes, full steam (speed) ahead". This is how Michael lived his life. He always persevered and lived life to its fullest and let nothing stand in his way. He and his wife, partner, friend, and sailing companion, Sheila spent countless happy years sailing their yacht on lakes and oceans. At one point they even chose to live aboard their yacht shunning the traditional brick and mortar home for the unconventional and challenging life of living on board which brought them adventure and happiness. In 1987 Michael started his own water treatment company called Glengarry Chemicals. Through perseverance, hard work, and an uncanny business sense he grew it into a sizeable and successful business. He was in his 80s before he retired. Michael and Sheila lived life to the absolute fullest based from their beautiful home and gardens in Niagara-on-the-Lake. They loved good food and travel and ventured from the sands of the desert to tropical ocean paradises. Michael was a first-class chef and often went out to gather fine ingredients for his wonderful home cooked meals, sometimes on a daily basis. He also loved fine dining and ate at many restaurants both five star and just plain down-home cooking. In short, Michael was a larger-than-life character whose presence could not be ignored. His passing has left a hole in all of our lives, and he will be sorely missed by all that knew him. He may not be present in the physical sense, but he will live on in our memories. He is dearly missed by his longtime partner and wife Sheila and his stepchildren Keith (Dora) Hirsch and Mark (Irene) Hirsch and his step-grandchildren Joshua and Megan. His big sister Merike Kalm and his nieces and nephews Jeffrey (Dadanae) Himel, Susan (Tim) Himel, David (Nancy) Himel, Leigh (Peter) Himel, and his grand-nieces and nephews Dionysos, Anastasia, Jazmyn, Elijah, and Samuel. There will be a funeral service on Saturday, October 29 at 2:30 p.m. at the Morgan Funeral Home, 415 Regent St., Niagara-on-the Lake, followed by a get-together at Michael and Sheila's home. Sheila is requesting that instead of wearing all black attire that you dress in some happy colours. This coming spring there will be a true celebration of Michael's love for good food and wine in the garden at their home in Niagara-on-the-Lake. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name for his well-loved feline friends OG and Jack to the Lincoln Humane Society. (The St. Catharines Standard 26 Oct 2022)
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