Michael Lee Pusz
October 5, 2017
Michael Lee Pusz, 65, of Archer, FL passed on after a long, courageous battle with cancer on October 5, 2017.
Born in Detroit, MI and raised in Miami, FL, Michael spent the last 40 years in the Gainesville, FL area. A graduate of Miami Central High School, he immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduation and proudly served in the Vietnam War from 1971 to 1974.
After his honorable discharge from the Navy, he relocated to Gainesville and worked for the Parks and Recreation Division of the City of Gainesville for a number of years. He was promoted from the groundskeeping crew to the tree crew as a Tree Surgeon Specialist and Supervisor. He retired from the city in 2000.
Michael was passionate about Gator sports, especially football and basketball. He bled orange and blue! During the 1980s and 1990s, he coached youth Pop Warner Football in Gainesville. In his retirement years, Michael enjoyed raising heritage heirloom roses. Also, fishing was one of his favorite pastimes. We always had a lot of fun fishing in Tampa Bay, even when we caught a boot or a blowfish!
Michael loved life and he loved others. He was always known to put others before himself, whether it was coaching kids, taking his mother-in-law grocery shopping, lending a helping hand to his friends, or caring for his family and his many Australian Shepherd dogs he and his wife raised over the years. Michael had an infectious laugh and a wonderful sense of humor. He was really good at making us all laugh with his spot on impression of Foghorn Leghorn and quoting lines from The Big Lebowski!
Left to cherish Michael’s memory are his wife of twenty five years, Jarilyn; son, Ian Waits (Valerie); daughter, Ashleigh Jenkins (Craig); granddaughters, Brooklyn and Nadia; grandsons Declan, Asher, and Matthew; brother Mark Pusz (Denise), as well as numerous extended family members.
Contributions can be made in Michael L. Pusz’s honor to TakeTheLead.org, Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or the veterans’ charity of your choice.
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So very sorry for your loss Jarilyn. He fought long and hard and you both gave each other so much over the past few years–prayers to bring peace now and in the months to come.
You will be missed, Michael. May you rest well after your long battle. Many hugs to those left behind.
You will be surely missed.
He sounds like a special man….my thoughts and prayers to you……take care…..
My condolences to the family. Michael is home and free now. It is still hard for the ones left behind. He would want you all to remember the good times and not the sickness. Hugs to all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jarilyn and the family. Michael fought a hard battle. May he Rest In Peace.
I never met Michael but I felt like I knew him through the wonderful messages I would read everyday. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this most difficult time.
Dear Jarlyn, I send you and your family my deepest sympathy. Michael was an inspiration to so many. He fought a fierce battle with such dignity. His memory will be cherished as a man of great passion for his family and friends. Rest in peace Michael. With love and hugs to your family–Linda
He fought from start to finish, and was not a quitter by any stretch of the imagination. May he be free of everything now.
Jarilyn, I’m so very sorry you have lost Michael. But the love the two of you share will ever die. I believe you will be reunited once again. The love you gave him and the care you took of him are a testament to a true and lasting love. God bless you.
Thank you for your service to our county – You & yours are very special – FONDLY
never met him but definitely prayed that this battle would be won. so truly sorry that cancer won again. thoughts and prayers for Jarilyn, family, and 4-legged kids!
We never met, but I’ve been behind you to the very end. I will continue to be behind Jarilyn and the strength you both have shown will forever amaze me.
Michael, Peace be with you! So glad I got to know you! Jarilyn, you are in my thoughts. We are here for you! Ann
I know Michael will be deeply missed. May his family and friends find comfort in cherished memories.
RIP Michael. Even though I never met you, I am so sad about your passing. You put up an incredible fight. Condolences to all of your family.
So very sorry for your loss.
Miss you Mikey, life is not whole anymore. Tell Mom hello . Love you sweetie.
I feel like I knew him! Wishing you Jarilyn and your families inner peace.
What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man. My prayers are with you, Jarilyn, and with the rest of your family.
Fly in peace. Soar painlessly. Many people are thinking of you!
We all miss you, Love Dale Stryder Pause Stevie Tarot and Rhiannon
Though I never met Michael in person, I feel I knew him thru the tender words and loving thoughts of Jarilyn. The journey was too short but the love of both of you for each other was so evident. Simple trust and kindness given to each other during life’s hardest trials sustained both of you until the end came. He rests now in God’s arms.
My thoughts and prayers are with you Jarilyn and your family. Michael is in loving arms now and free from pain. I know you will see him again. He was a loving and loved man. He will be greatly missed.
My prayers for all and my sincere condolences.
You will be so missed, I loved all the pictures of you with the pups, Jarilyn you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers!
Michael Lee Pusz, I have the watch OS3 Aldridge, you’ve been relieved. Give Davey Jones hell Shipmate. Thank you for your years of service, and giving your family the best years of your life. You will never be forgotten. Anchors Aweigh.
RIP Michael~ pain free and playing with all of your companions at the Rainbow Bridge ^..^
RIP Michael, you have earned your beautiful wings!
Rest In Peace, Michael. I wish I had gotten the opportunity to meet you in person. Love and hugs Jarilyn. Stay strong.
Michael was such a good nature kind man! I remember him being such a great team partner with his wife Jarilyn. They always had each others back, whether it be taking care of dogs, gathering information and fighting this battle so he could have more time to enjoy every one he loved! He will be missed by so many! Rest in Peace dear Michael!
Couldn’t have asked for a better father and role model.
Jarilyn, my sincere condolences to you and your family. What a lovely tribute. I know words can never ease the pain of grief and loss but here is a quote that I found gave me solace when I had lost a loved one, “Anyone who has ever grieved knows that grieving carries with it a tremendous wear and tear to the body itself, never mind the soul. Loss is an assault; a certain exhaustion, as strong as the pull of the moon on the tides, needs to be allowed for eventually.” from Abide with Me by Elizabeth Strout.
Jarilyn, I have watched Michael’s battle and the courage you both put into from afar. I can’t imagine going through this, but I am glad it is over. Michael was a sweet, loving man and the world will be a little sadder without him. Hugs to you and your family as you grieve. I’m pretty sure Michael is in the dog park in heaven, throwing balls and loving the love in return.
Thinking of you and your family, Jarilyn. Peace be with you all.
My deepest sympathy to Michael’s family and all who knew and loved him. Michael is one of considerate and loving people I’ve ever known. He went out of his way to be polite and kind even when he didn’t feel well, and my life was enriched from knowing him. I’m so glad to have been his friend. I will miss him. Rest in Peace Michael knowing you had a live well lived and well loved.
Wish I may have gotten to meet Michael rather than just being on Facebook. May he Rest In Peace, his final battle over. Love, Kathy
mark and denise pusz of merritt island FL October 13 2017 Miss you bro I know that you’re not in pain or suffering anymore and that you are in a better place. You are now with MOM,DAD,BROTHER WAYNE and GRANDMA PUSZ. I know one day we will see you again until that day we will always miss you and love you with all are hearts love always Mark& Denise Pusz miss you.
When someone you love become a memory, the memory become a treasure
Michael you fought a long hard battle, may you Rest In Peace. God has a new puppy whisper. Our thoughts and prayers Jarilyn to you and your family.
Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories of Michael to forever hold in your heart!
Mikey, my loving brother-in-law, you are now and will be forever missed! Thank you for coming into our family all those years ago and being such a wonderful husband to my sister, father to her two children, grandfather to your grandchildren, son-in-law to "Ma" and brother-in-law to me. You shared your wisdom with me and taught me not to settle for second best. You helped me to see that I deserved all the best life has to offer! Your kindness was amazing – I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who was so at ease putting others before himself. Thank you for all you did for Mom in her last years – you brought her much joy. You took such good care of my sister – your love for her was very apparent and you encouraged her to follow her passions – the hallmark of a wonderful partner. Although we all miss you very much, we take solace in knowing that you are no longer in pain and are in a better place with those who have crossed over before, including your furry and feathered babies. I hope to be honored to one day see you on the other side. Meanwhile, keep on keeping on, Brother, and give my love to Mom and a hug to her from me. I love you. Love, "Sis".
I never had the chance to get to know Michael well. I do remember his wonderful smile an his we’ll get this done attitude. I know he fought so hard to live. He’ll be missed by the many he knew. Jarilyn I know you’ll miss him so much. I think of you and Michael often especially when enjoying the company of my much loved Aussie girl, Penny.
Michael, I will miss you my friend, until we meet again.
The last time we saw each other, you told me you were so proud of how strong I had become and how “awesome” I looked. That meant the world to me. You always tried to get me to see my beauty, my worth, when I couldn’t see it myself. You had the natural ability and inclination to protect and care for me, as if I were your own. I will never forget how much fun you were to hang out with when I was a teenager. You would always be the life of the party. Your spirit was forever youthful, even up until your last days here on earth. You were always such a natural with B, she loved you beyond words….I remember the times when she was little, where she didn’t want to be away from her Grandpa. You gifted her with so much laughter and care, which is simply beautiful. You always put everyone before yourself, even with the mumbling under your breath, you did everything out of duty, love and unselfishness. You have already come to me in my dreams, what you gave me there was truly profound and life changing. Your fight was simply amazing. Never stop dancing Mike, always so carefree, never caring what anyone thought….I wish I knew how to live like that…….I truly admire all that you were, while here with us. The butterflies are already visiting everyday 😉 Brooklyn and I love and miss you Michael, but you already know that.
Loved this man the first time we met. He treated me like a son. We had wonderful times together fishing, football games, movies and even doing a little ride in my tractor and trailer, I will never forget you !!!
We are always here for you. Many hugs, you did a fantastic job in the previous year, and you will in the coming ones as well. You two had a fantastic life, and you have another yet to go. He was a wonderful man <3
Peace to you, Jarilyn. Peace to Michael, also. May memories make your journey easier. You are in my thoughts. Take care.
Jarilyn, You and your family have our deepest sympathy during this very sad and difficult time. Michael was truly the kindest, most loving, strong, and determined person we have ever known. The love, devotion and commitment the two of you shared for one another was beyond what words can even describe. Michael was blessed to have you by his side in his journey through life. As we have said before we believe your love is eternal. Nothing can ever change that. May you find some comfort and peace in the wonderful memories you shared and in knowing that Michael is no longer suffering. We believe he is in a better place, free of pain. While we can only begin to imagine the sense of loss you feel, we will be keeping you in our prayers and sending you lots of loving energy.