Obituary of Michael Kraus
Michael Kraus (1951-2020) passed away on April 11, 2020, after a hard-fought battle with COVID-19.
A family man first and foremost, he shared 36 years with his beloved wife, Ellen. Together, in true partnership, they started a family, raised two sons and numerous pets, and continued to travel and explore the world. He was a loving and supportive father - and took great pride in watching his boys grow. This January, he was excited to welcome his granddaughter into the world.
Michael was full of enthusiasm for the things he believed made life worth living: he cherished the arts, loved music, revered cinema, and collected numerous paintings and pieces. He loved to explore different cultures and cuisines. He was an avid collector of wine and found great joy in the pursuit of a quality bottle to share with friends.
Never one to be afraid to share an opinion, his ability to genuinely connect with friends, strangers, and even animals was a gift – a man who had seen enough in life to understand its ephemerality, and that a little kindness could go a long way. He was a living reminder to us all to slow down and simply enjoy the things around us.
He is survived by his wife Ellen, his sister Dr. Judy Shay, his sons Jon and Elliot, granddaughter Sloane, and his dog, Mr. Carson.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes you consider making a donation to one of Michael’s favorite organizations, and to share a favorite memory on our tribute wall:
Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen
https://donate.wck.org/give/
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s PAC (Yes, he loved AOC)
https://secure.actblue.com/
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael Kraus, please visit Tribute Store
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