Michael Kiljan passed away on June 25, 2024. Michael's life began with adventure from the very start. He was born on July 28, 1939, to Joan and Ewen Sack. His father was a Royal Air Force pilot. After the war ended and his parents divorced, his mother moved with Michael and his sister to America, where she remarried John Kiljan, an American. Mike took his stepfather’s last name, becoming Mike Kiljan and starting his life in the United States.
With his stepfather in the U.S. Secret Service, Mike's childhood was marked by frequent moves. He attended grade school in places like Birmingham, Alabama, and St. Louis, Missouri. At fourteen, he returned to London, where he worked hard to save for a life of travel. At sixteen, he set sail for Australia on a cargo ship, a journey that ignited a seventy-year-long exploration of the world.
Mike visited over 200 countries and territories and worked in more than two dozen of them. His passion for history fueled his travels, as he eagerly explored historical sites and delved into the stories of the past. Fascinated by "castle-ology," he visited almost every castle he could. Sailing was another love; he voyaged across the seas on classic sailing ships, often working in exchange for passage. His devotion led him to join the Albert Strange Society of Classical Sailing Ship Enthusiasts, to which he frequently contributed articles for publication. Mike also loved hiking and exploring churches and cathedrals along his journeys.
Mike was also a passionate mountain climber, scaling peaks like Mount Denali in Alaska, Annapurna in Nepal, Aconcagua in Argentina, and Kilimanjaro in Africa. His sense of adventure extended underwater, where he enjoyed scuba diving and kayaking. For sixteen summers, he took part in the Tour International Danube, an epic journey through nine countries from Germany to Romania.
Amidst his love for travel, Mike built two careers. In Atlanta, Georgia, he worked as a respiratory therapist, and later, in Alaska, he became a pipefitter and welder in the Plumber and Pipefitters Union, working on the Alaska oil pipeline. These careers helped fund his adventures around the world.
Alpine skiing was another of his great loves. He skied across the U.S. and Europe, with a particular fondness for the Italian Dolomites, and continued skiing well into 2024, even as his health began to decline. In April, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, likely due to a brief period working in Australian asbestos mines in the late 1950s.
Returning to Gunnison Colorado, his second home, Mike faced his final days with courage, sending a farewell to his friends around the world: "No need for tears, my friends! I’ve had an incredible 85 years filled with unforgettable travel and adventure. I send you all my deepest love and fond farewell."
Mike passed away peacefully in Gunnison on June 25, 2024, with his daughter Michele and lifelong friend Robert caring for him. He is survived by his sister Gloria O’Leary, daughter Michelle Hein, two grandchildren, his brother Garry Kiljan, and two nephews.
His life will be celebrated at the St. Peter’s Catholic Church Parish Hall in Gunnison on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, from 4-8 p.m. Mike's spirit, zest for life and legacy of exploration will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
