KENNIS, Michal Kenins

Passed away suddenly, on December 1 in Toronto, at the age of 39.
Michal’s resume ran the gamut from arts to office to trades. After stints with the Canadian Stage Company, Volunteer Toronto, and more, Michal found his calling as an arborist and learned quickly, becoming an ISA Certified Arborist and TCIA Certified Tree Safety Professional. Michal learned the literal ropes at several GTA tree care companies before branching out to start his own, also actively participating in initiatives for women and LGBTQI people in tree care, promoting arboriculture training, and teaching in Humber College’s arboriculture program.

Michal’s pride and joy was his company Vista Tree Management, started with friend James May in 2021. Together they tried to raise standards in the arboriculture industry for customers and employees, focusing on science-based tree care with an eye to tree preservation and native species. Michal was deeply proud of running the business as a Living Wage Employer and implementing rigorous safety practices.

Michal was an enthusiastic performer and playwright in his twenties, participating in the emerging creators program for queer artists at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Michal’s play Spoiled (as Michael Reynolds) was performed in Toronto and London.

Michal’s path was deeply influenced by his time in Air Cadets with the Canadian Armed Forces during preteen and teen years, helping develop a dedication to neatly polished shoes and ironed pants.

Michal had a passion for social justice, fair labour practices, and prison reform and was a vocal advocate. Michal’s other passions included cheese, good suits, ancient history, and cats (especially Beastly, Moglee, Boriss, Paris and Maggie).

In recent years, Michal’s most important role was as dad to Norah and Signe, loving farmers’ market trips, swimming, reading books, dad jokes, and teaching Norah proper rope care at the shop. The loss of visits to Dada’s big trucks and learning proper tree identification is devastating.

Michal is survived by his daughters, Norah and Signe, wife Laura, parents Rita and Barrie Reynolds, brothers Christen and Peter Reynolds, and Pete’s family Angie, Aidan, Mahrin and Lief.

A celebration of life will take place in January.