Always an adventurer and a free spirit, Michael Henry Zygmunt “Stas” Chrypinski embarked on his greatest adventure, after a brief illness, on November 3, 2023.

     Mike was born on May 28, 1953 in Hamtramck, MI. the second eldest son of Vincent and Anna Chrypinski. Along with his two brothers, Jan and Steve, sister, Maria and grandparents, Maria and Bernard Skowronski - they lived the good life on their Larkrest Farm, near Flat Rock, MI. There - they were nurtured on love and fresh air, adventure and all things Polish. In 1964, inspired by their ever intrepid Father, Vince - the Family set out on a five month camping trip overseas - to twenty six European countries, in a VW Camper. That trip - would bring the Chrypinskis ever closer together; (= six people in a VW Camper for five months !?!); and instill in them all - a lifetime love for travel, the outdoors and discovering new places and people.

     While still in high school, Mike and Jan adventured north - to spend a summer working at a fishing camp in northern Canada, just south of the Yukon Territory, which included an up close wilderness encounter with a bear. Perhaps that wilderness experience accounts for Mike’s love of and future years in Colorado. Mike had two other formative courses while in High School: Shop and Cooking classes. Those fueled his lifetime love for creative cooking and work in the food industry, AND his love for buying, fixing and selling used cars. (Mike bought his first car at age eleven!) In his H.S. graduation yearbook, a photo of Mike, (dressed as a very elegant pirate) read: “ Michael Chrypinski - prepared to meet the perils of life”... little did we know !

     Mike attended Michigan State University, to study Hotel and Restaurant Management. There, “ Stas’ “ met his “other Polish Brother”, Stan Kozlowski, who became his lifelong, beloved friend.

     Mike managed to combine his professional work life, with living in numerous great locations, and cultivating many more wonderful lifelong friends!. That all began when he left Michigan on a road trip with his buddies to “ski bum heaven” in Aspen, then Steamboat Springs, CO.  From there, he went to Portland, and a “real career ” as a supervisor for American Airlines’ Sky Chef food service. As an airline employee, Mike (and his parents), made full use of his flight benefits - spending many weekends in Hawaii and abroad. Then the beaches of Marina del Rey, CA. called, where Mike managed Chrystie’s restaurant in Beverly Hills. Unable to resist the call of the Mountains - Mike returned to Lake Dillon, CO., and ran restaurants at Copper Mountain ski resort. There, EVERYONE seemed to know Mike, as he was affectionately known as “the Mayor of Copper Mountain”.  Here, he met three very significant people: Ron Lindsey, who later helped save Mike in a bad accident; and Sarah McDermott and her young son, Tyler, who would become Mike’s family!

     As he traveled through life, (and most Western and Southern states), later working for Sodexo hospitals and academic facilities, he finally returned to his dear Northern Michigan. There, he served at the serene, wooded campus of Northwestern Michigan College, as Director of their five Campus services. In 2023, Mike returned to Port St. Lucie, Florida, to an all too short lived “retirement”.

Preceding Mike to Heaven are his Grandparents - Bernard and Maria Skowronski; Parents - Vincent and Anna Chrypinski; Uncles Casimir and Zygmund Skowronski and cousin - Richard Skowronski, and Mike’s dear Grandson, Nathan McDermott. He is survived by his incredible son, Tyler McDermott - who faithfully kept vigil at his Dad’s side, and Tyler’s wife, Christy; grandsons: Blake, Kyle and Joshua; Tyler’s Mother, Sarah Ernst; and Mike’s forever near immediate family: Jan, Maria and husband, Brendan; Steve and wife, Molly; nephew, Daniel and niece, Kara.

    We would like to especially thank: Gene & Betty Popov, Jeff & Nellie Groth, Stan Kozlowski and the doctors/staff at the Cleveland Clinic, Weston for their faithful support and hard work during Mike's last days. 

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             *  In honor of Mike’s love for the Mountains

                    - Donations may be made to:

          Https: SOSoutreach.org/michael-chryp…

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*** There will be a Celebration of Life for Mike,

at his dear friends, Jeff & Nellie Groth’s “Island Beach Restaurant”,

2400 South Ocean Drive on Hutchinson Island, FL.

                            - on December 16 at 2 pm.

{ Please see:www.everloved.com/Michael-Chrypinski

and www.islandbeachbarandrestaura… (Tel:) 772) 409 - 4677 - for details.}

     Mike touched so many lives, in so many places !   His caring, always ready to help spirit and love of life shall be forever celebrated !   May we so live & pass it on.

                     “ Czesc Jego pamieci zawsze ! ”

 ( May His memory be a blessing and forever honored !)

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