MIchael Kane

1935 - 2021

Michael Eugene Kane
Jun 5, 1935 - Jan 28, 2021
On January 28, 2021, Michael passed away with his wife Peggy at his side. They were at their home in Sparks, Nevada. He was 85 years old.
Michael is preceded in death by his parents Michael Henry Kane and Julia Markiewicz Kane, his siblings Dolores, Dorothy, Betty, Joe, Richard and Victor, as well as his life-long friend Rod McCleod and his dear friends Tony and Nancy Garcia.
Michael is survived by his wife of 60 years, Peggy Lafferty Kane, three children Julia Kane, Michael J. Kane and Patrick Kane, four grandchildren Michael D. Kane, Madison Kane, Jared Kane and Mikayla Kane and 33 nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his loving sister Sheila May and sibling Jennifer (Frank), his long-time friend Eddie Powell and his life-long friend Ray Garcea of Spokane, WA.
Michael was born in Kansas City, Kansas. He was one of 9 children. At an early age his family moved to Washington state where they eventually settled in Spokane. Michael attended St. Anthony's Catholic School and was a devout Catholic his whole life. He started working at a young age for the Northern Pacific Railroad, joined the Army National Guard and worked part time as a stagehand at the Spokane Coliseum.
At age 25 he married Peggy Lafferty at St. Anthony's Church, which is just 2 doors down from his childhood home. Michael and Peggy moved to San Francisco in 1960 where he became a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stagehand Employees Union, Local 16. He worked as a stagehand for the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House and the San Francisco Ballet Company. In 1966 he was the youngest person to be promoted Master Carpenter, a position he held for 28 years. Michael and Peggy moved from San Bruno to San Rafael in 1968. Michael retired in 1994 after 35 years with the Opera. Upon retiring he was awarded the Opera Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the San Francisco Opera and in 1995, from the San Francisco Ballet Company, he received the Lew Christensen Medal for over 30 years of service as master carpenter and production manager.
There was a memorial service with immediate family in February. Another memorial will be held at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House, October 15, 2021 at 11:00AM. Entry for the memorial is at the north stage door.
For many years Michael gave a monthly donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. If you'd like to give something in Mike's memory, please give to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: by mail at P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929, by phone (800) 805-5856 or online at https://www.stjude.org/donate. Thank you and God bless you.