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MICHAEL KRAYNAK Obituary

KRAYNAK--Michael, Jr.,

a longtime resident of Ridgewood, New Jersey, and most recently of Wyckoff, passed away peacefully on the morning of May 23 in his home, with his loving wife, Patricia, at his side. They were to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on June 6 of this year. Michael aka Mike, or the Admiral, or Captain to his friends and familyhad a long and prestigious career in private banking as a Partner at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. in New York City. He began his tenure at the firm in 1957, making Partner in 1978, where he was in charge of international investment management. From 1990-1995, Michael was Partner in charge of global investment policy and strategy for equity and balanced accounts. Following his retirement as a full-time partner in 1995, he remained involved with the firm as Member of the BBH Trust Company Investment Committee, as well as ancillary organizations including as Chairman of the American Australian Association, and Board member at the Swiss Helvetia Fund for many years. He remained a limited partner until his death. Michael Kraynak, Jr., was born in Cleveland, Ohio December 16, 1930, to the late Anna Haladaj and Michael Kraynak. A graduate of Yale College (class of 1952) where he earned a degree in history, he received a Masters degree in International Relations at Yale's Graduate School of International Affairs in 1953. His attachment to his alma mater with fond recollections of Vincent Scully's rousing architectural history lectures, which stimulated a lifetime interest in the subject remained through his ongoing association with the Advisory Council of Yale Alumni of Bergen County. In 1954, as a recent graduate, he joined the United States Navy, where he was on active duty until 1957, serving on aircraft carriers: the USS Champlain, USS Randolph, and USS Saratoga. He joined the Naval Reserves in 1959 and served until 1987, during which time he worked in various intelligence capacities and achieved the rank of Captain. In 1987, he transitioned to the Retired Reserves; he was also a member of the Naval War College Foundation and the Naval Institute. During his lifetime, Michael was active in all dimensions of civic and business life, and was involved in numerous charities. His experiences seeing extreme poverty while on active duty in the Navy had a particularly lasting impact, motivating his later involvement with the Haitian-based charity, Free the Kids: Project Hope, which was founded by a former Navy chaplain. Among the other organizations to which he belonged and positions held, were: Director and President of the Robert Bruner Foundation; Board member and secretary of Ridgewood Senior Citizens Housing Corporation (Ridgecrest); Advisory Council of The Hermitage Museum; member of The Knights of Malta; member of The Valley Hospital Foundation; and member of a local men's group, Stable Hands. Quick to debate on any topic, as his many interlocutors (fondly) over the years can attest, his intellectual interests were rivaled by his athletic ones; as an avid tennis player, he was for many years a member (and former treasurer) of the Upper Ridgewood Tennis Club, and the Quonochontaug Tennis Club near his family's beach home in Rhode Island. A life-long student of history, Mike enjoyed extensive travels throughout his life for work and pleasure, testimony to which is the hundreds of postcards sent to family over the years. In addition to Patricia, Michael is survived by his children, Pamela Kraynak, of Burlington Vermont; Michael Kraynak III, of Wickford, Rhode Island; Evelyn Kraynak of Oakland, NJ; and Janet Kraynak of Brooklyn, NY. He also leaves behind three grandsons, Jonah Kraynak, Jared Deibe, and Giulio Basilico, as well as his son-in-law, Stefano Basilico, and daughter-in-law, Margaret Scully. Friends and associates are welcome to remember Michael at the wake Tuesday, May 29, from 4-8pm at Feeney Funeral Home in Ridgewood, NJ. Funeral services are taking place at 10:00am on Wednesday, May 30 at Mount Carmel Church, also in Ridgewood. For those who would like to contribute a lasting memory, donations can be made to Yale University FBO the Michael Kraynak Scholarship Fund (Attn: Reginald Solomon, 157 Church Street, New Haven, CT 06510); or In Memory of Michael Kraynak, Friends of the Hermitage, The Hermitage Museum, 335 No. Franklin Tpke, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423, https://thehermitage.ejoinm e.org/MyPages/DonationPa ge/tabid/961792/Default.aspx)

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times on May 27, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for MICHAEL KRAYNAK

Not sure what to say?





Joe Koontz

May 31, 2018

Mike, I am very sorry to hear of your dad's passing. When we were at Ridge School your house was a destination, and I remember both of your parents being very hospitable. My condolences to your family.

Allan Goellner

May 30, 2018

My gratitude forever, Mike, for your companionship and pleasant conversations when you and Myron Walzak drove me from New Haven to Cleveland and back during our college years together.

Joe Wechsler

May 30, 2018

Mike,

My deepest condolences. Your father led an amazing life.

Sarah Perkins

May 30, 2018

Dear Mike,

So sorry for your loss.

Best wishes to you and your family.
Sarah Perkins

Pam Eilers

May 30, 2018

I am so sorry Mike. You were so blessed to have such a wonderful Father and what a life he lived! May God comfort and care for all your family's needs.

Christopher Meyers

May 30, 2018

To Mike III and all of your family: I'm so very sorry for your loss.

May 26, 2018

To the family of Michael Kraynak. May Gods loving kindness bring comfort and strength to you at this very difficult time and help you heal your broken hearts. Take comfort in the words in the book of John 6:40; Thru His word HE gives us the hope of seeing our loved one again.


C.Z.

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Memorial Events
for MICHAEL KRAYNAK

May

29

Wake

4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Feeney Funeral Home

232 Franklin Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450

May

30

Funeral service

10:00 a.m.

Mount Carmel Church

Ridgewood, NJ

Funeral services provided by:

Feeney Funeral Home

232 Franklin Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450

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