Michael Rybski

Michael "Mike" Anthony Rybski (aka Ski in High School), 62 of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away February 3, 2023, at Cornerstone Hospice. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 11, 1960. His family moved to Ocoee, Florida in 1970. Mike graduated from West Orange High School in 1979 and receive his AA degree from Valencia State College. He married Dawn V. Coyle who got the gig on August 19, 2000.
He began his career as a trainer with Piedmont Airline in 1986, moving on to US Airways-American where he was known to share a skittle or two with his colleagues. He retired from the airlines to help take care of his daughter, Michele, in 2004. He held several training positions notably with The Pantry, Inc. (where pre-staging the coffee was not allowed and you must start with a clean coffee pot) from which he retired in 2018.
Mike enjoyed sports. He played both football and baseball for West Orange High School. After high school, he volunteered as a baseball and football coach for West Orange High School and Foundation Academy. He shared his love for sports, teaching young men how to play ball. Mike was an avid golfer and enjoyed many days with his friends on a golf course, until health prohibited him from playing any longer. He also rooted on his favorite college and pro teams, the FSU Seminoles and the 1985 World Champion Chicago Bears (Da Bears), Chicago Bulls, and Chicago Cubs. Whether watching games in person, at home, or at a local pub - you could be assured that he would sprinkle the infield.
He liked to travel. He used his airline benefits to travel the world or just to visit family and friends. Hey Now!! He and his family have traveled throughout the United States from Key West to Hawaii. They also enjoyed traveling to other countries from Mexico, Bahamas, France to Budapest, wearing a smile all the while.
Mike relished just hanging out with family and friends (all the beautiful people) laughing and telling jokes - at the local pub and small gatherings. He would talk on the phone for hours with friends. Mike was full of wit and had definite opinions. He insisted that carts had to be returned - only bobos don't return shopping carts. He often noted that attitude would get you nowhere. He had an eclectic taste in music and enjoyed singing for fun. Mike made his fifteen minutes of fame when he sang on stage with the band Chicago - one of his favorite music groups.
Mike was preceded in death by his father Chester Rybski and mother Irene Rybski. He is survived by his wife Dawn, his daughter Michele, his devoted dog Bear, many loving Polish cousins, and extended family.
Services will be held on Monday, February 20, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Resurrection Catholic Church 1211 Winter Garden Vinland Road, Winter Garden, Florida 34787 with a reception at Hagan O'Reilly Pub 16112 Marsh Road Winter Garden, Florida 34787.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692. (www.heart.org/donate) or Cornerstone Hospice, 2445 Lane Park Rd., Tavares, FL 32778 (cornerstonehospice.org).