The veteran toy and game licensing agent Michael Kohner passed away on June 7th, aged 82. Michael earned his renown in the industry by carving a path of his own. However, his family’s toy history went back a long way.

Fearing Nazi persecution, Michael’s father and uncle – Paul and Frank Kohner –
fled Czechoslovakia in 1940. Arriving in the United States, they founded Kohner Bros. in New York City. Kohner Bros. started out creating wooden beads and, indeed, beaded purses, but the brothers soon began to produce craft sets and wooden toys…

The wooden toys included ‘pull alongs’ and ‘push-button puppets’ – animal figures that collapse when you push up the underside of their bases. Later, the company went on to produce the original versions of Busy Box, Busy Bath, Trouble and other classics.

Michael himself was born in 1943. He joined the family business when his father, Paul, passed away in 1965. “I was raised in the business…” Michael later told inventor Richard Levy: “…it’s in my blood.” Michael subsequently helped Kohner Bros. expand its international reach through licensing and product development.

Following General Foods’ acquisition of Kohner Bros. in 1969 and the company’s subsequent sale to Gabriel Industries in 1974, Michael founded the Michael Kohner Corporation. In the following years, he became a champion of – and mentor to – dozens of toy and game inventors, seeing them as “the lifeblood of a marketplace where consumers are always looking for new leisure products.”

Michael’s passing marks a sad loss; one that is felt by a great many in the community. We send our most sincere condolences to Michael’s family and many, many friends.

Below are the introduction and lyrics to a parody song that Dan Klitsner wrote for his friend Michael. They are presented here – along with a short video of the song – in tribute.

“Hello fellow, Toy people and friends of Michael! My name is Dan. I grew up in a showbiz family… My parents started their life in New York as Broadway actors in the fifties – so when I’m here, I feel their great presence.

And growing up, whether I liked it or not, any great family occasion was always deserving of a very bad parody of a good song – and this is a great family occasion; Michael has given us that legacy… So I’m obligated to sing this song –and at the end, I will ask you to chime in! And with Jay Horowitz on piano, with his incredible talent, he will help me fill this obligation – and mitzvah for a great man.

[Sung to the tune ‘Hava Nagila’]

Michael – we love ya
We think – so highly of ya
Even – tho all of ya
Jokes are kinda rude

We love – your moxie
Your kind-a foxie
We’re not – just here
Because you buy us food

You are – so generous
You have – helped all of us
In Michael – we Trust
To give us – all a smile

We are – not on the fence
You are – a total mensch
Sometimes you make no sense but
You do it with style! (Hey!)

Who, who, who-do-we -love?
We love Michael cuz he’s funny
When he’s here, it’s always sunny
He is crass – but sweet as Honey

And he’s hipper than bad bunny –
We thank the good lord above!
For this guy that we love!
For Michael we say mazeltov!

(And then we all danced the hora to Hava Nagila!)

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