Obituary of Michael Hassan Taka

Michael Hassan Taka passed away peacefully at WRHN – Chicopee on Friday, August 7, 2026, at the age of 73.

He is survived by his daughters Julie (Damian) and Suzie (Sarah). Beloved Papou to Fionna, Aidan, Avi, Ezra, and Morley. Survived by his siblings Mexhite (Agim) and Xhevit (Nadire). Guitar playing uncle to Hene, Jennifer, Jim, Tim, Liri, David, Chris, Lindita, Adem, Rushan, and Joni.

Predeceased by his sister Fatime, his mother (Hamide) and father (Rasim). It would be remiss to not mention that Michael loved his mother as deeply and fiercely as anyone ever could. We hope they are together again. 

Michael was born in the rural village of Trikorifos in Greece, where he lived the first 9 years of his life without electricity and running water. He helped to shepherd the family’s sheep in the hills, and was thrilled when his mother let one of the family goats live in the house. There he spoke Albanian at home with his family, and Greek in his village and his early years in school. Two languages he proudly maintained throughout his life. 

In 1962 Michael and his family were sponsored by the World Refugee Day Committee in Lindsay, Ontario, and brought as Muslim refugees to Canada.  Originally from Albania, his father had fled communism, and Canada offered the family a permanent home. His family moved from Lindsay to Peterborough, where he and his siblings acquired their “Canadian” names, and he went from Hassan to Michael and from there most lovingly referred to him as Mike. They would then settle for many years on the Danforth in Toronto.

Mike developed his love for music shortly after arriving in Canada, and it would prove to be his life-long passion. He was a die-hard Beatles fan from the first time he ever Saw (Them) Standing There. After learning from friends and teaching himself, he became a guitarist, bassist, and song and lyric writer. Mike spent the 1970’s touring Canada from coast to coast as a rock and roll musician in many different bands, making it all the way up to preform in Alaska and Labrador. He had long hair, tight bell bottoms, and lived an incredible decade on the road. He performed originals such as “Too Good Looking” and the “Streets of Hollywood,” as well as his favourite covers from The Kinks, Supertramp, Bad Finger, and more. 

All was rock and roll until his two daughters came along to cramp his rock and roll style. (Mike would never describe his daughters like that –style cramping- he loved them fiercely and deeply and he was a wonderful father, but they both know what they did.)

His daughters’ childhoods were full of Beatles songs they knew every word to, bike rides, flying kites, exploring the bluffs, tennis, working with their parents at the Pizzeria they ran, and long car rides where he tried to play his favourite game: Think of a Word You Don’t Know the Definition of and Look It Up in the Dictionary, a game that only made sense to him.

Music was his first love, but family came first. When the girls were children their parents ran a pizzeria first in Worcester, Massachusetts and then in London, Ontario where the family lived for 15 years. During that time friends became regulars, regulars became friends, and delivery drivers became family forever (Scotty, Chris, Tyler, Lonny, to name just a few). 

*Writers note: you may notice this is already much longer than a standard obituary and you are only halfway through reading. We tried to be as brief as our dad ever was(n’t), and to honour him in death as he was in life, full of never-ending long stories.

Mike had a smile and seven hours of conversation for everyone he ever met. Good natured would be an understatement, and he could talk endlessly about his passions of music, politics, history, philosophy, and towards the end of his life his favourite topic, his grandchildren. He could also talk endlessly about things he wasn’t passionate about. Mike also never left a compliment nor an expression of love unsaid - he lived his life ensuring those around him knew how much he cared for them. Thank you to everyone who was a dear friend to Mike – he truly got by with a little help from his friends.

The last years of Mike’s life were spent living in a community he loved, walking the Scarborough Bluffs, a sacred place for him. He had a parrot named Casper whom he walked on a leash in the neighborhood, which feels like the best segue to include that Mike was delightfully weird and strange. He was funny and fun and charming. Mike described himself as “the worlds oldest teenager” which was hilarious to him.

Mike loved visiting his grandchildren as much as possible, always bringing frisbees, harmonicas, and chocolate tahini they call “Papou Chocolate”. While the years with his grandchildren were much too short, he lived his time as a Papou to its fullest. 

Mike spent the last few months of his life living with his daughter Suzie and her family - a small grace, though no one knew it was so near to the end of his time. He passed quickly but peacefully on a warm summer night in Kitchener, Ontario with a Joni Mitchell song playing, and his daughters close.

Special thank you to Dr. Chopra at WRHN Midtown, and to the incredible nurses and PSW’s at WRHN Chicopee, especially Juliette and Nicole.

A small Graveside Service will be held at Glendale Memorial Gardens, 1810 Albion Road, Etobicoke, on Thursday August 13, 2026, at 10 a.m. for family. 

A Celebration of Life Reception will be held at 50 Old Kingston Road, Scarborough, from 1:30-4:30 p.m.  All are welcome to join in this reception. 

In lieu of flowers, condolences for the family may be arranged through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S, Waterloo, at 519-745-8445 or at www.erbgood.com.