Michiko Hirai

Michiko Hirai, age 90, of Cheshire passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at her home. She was born on February 10, 1935 in Tokyo, Japan.

Her childhood was significantly impacted by the effects of World War II, having been sent away with school mates and teachers to the countryside to be out of harm’s way with the constant bombing of Tokyo. She returned to her home and parents after more than a year, and spent the rest of her childhood helping the family make the most of limited resources while always remaining one of the top students in her school. As a young adult, she started working during the post-war boom in Japan, met and married Sumio Hirai in 1959 and emigrated to Vancouver, Canada with 2 small children in 1966 with the launch of Nissan Canada. She had her third child after a move to Montreal, and had 2 more coast to coast moves over the next 10 years while becoming an owner of 3 different businesses during that time. She finally retired and moved to the U.S. in 2003, settling with her youngest daughter in Cheshire, CT. Michiko enjoyed the last 20+ years in the company of very devoted friends and her family, which had grown to include 6 grandchildren, while pursuing her passions of ballroom dancing, chorus and karaoke singing and her calming and steadying Buddhist practice.

She is the beloved mother of Fumiaki Hirai and his wife, Monica of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Mari Yuro and her husband, Adam of Marlboro, NY; and Lisa Hirai and her husband, Matt Hall of Cheshire. Michiko leaves her cherished grandchildren, Toshiro Hirai, Layla Yuro, Rafael Yuro, Samuel Hall, Kathleen Hall and Mari Hall. She also leaves her loving partner of over a decade, Michael Cardo, and the 24-hour devotion of her caregiver, Yvonne Stephenson.

Friends may greet Michiko’s family at the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 S. Main Street, Cheshire, CT 06410 on Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 3PM until 5PM. A time of reflection and remembrances will be held at 4:30PM. Burial will be private and at the convenience of her family.