The passing of Michael Alexander Byczko, at 82 years of age, has left his family and all who knew him with a deep sense of loss. Surrounded by those who loved him, Michael departed this world peacefully on June 3, 2025, at Trillium Hospital in Mississauga, leaving behind a lifetime of devotion to his family, curiosity, wisdom, and quiet strength.

Born in Poland in 1943 to Kasper and Leokadia, Michael grew up as the second of four siblings. As a young child, he sailed to Toronto by ship and landed in Canada as a post-war refugee. He lived as a young boy in the Kensington Market area until his family settled on a 100 acre farm near Barrie. In his youth, he would walk one hour, sometimes through 4 feet of snow to a one room schoolhouse called Grumble Hill with a jackknife in his backpack for protection and later as a teen, he took the bus to Barrie Central High School. Michael was always curious about science and technology. This passion for knowledge was seeded when he found a Natural Science book while on the trans-Atlantic voyage to Canada. He branched out into the fields of chemistry, geology, photography and videography, working at Kodak, CTV and the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital before earning a degree in Electrical Engineering from Ryerson University. He spread his roots to Midland, leading his family with unwavering commitment, building a life filled with hard work, love, and countless memories. As Director of Audio Visual at the Mental Health Center in Penetanguishene, Michael excelled in his position. He spent many weekends and summers returning to his beloved family farm to help out his parents with his children in tow.

Beyond his professional life, Michael found great joy in simple pleasures: ballroom dancing, tending his garden, listening to CBC radio, bee keeping, horse training, wood work, camping with his family and applying his engineering skills to anything and everything. He also loved traveling across Canada, the US, Europe and the Caribbean, where he immersed himself in the rich history of each place he visited. These passions reflected his deep curiosity and appreciation for the world around him. He was an avid reader of all things scientific, technological and most importantly history. His book collection is a testament to his knowledge vault. He was a member of many associations such as the Midland Sea Cadet Navy League, Etobicoke Horticultural Society and the Polish Engineer’s Society. He always had a great story to tell or a lesson to teach. He was a self taught musician singing and playing the guitar, harmonica or accordion at many family events.

Michael’s greatest legacy remains his family. A devoted father to Barbara (Wojtek), Michelle (John), Christopher (Kinga), and Alexander (Jessica), he instilled in them the enduring value of education, self-reliance and perseverance. His grandchildren—Adriana, Ashley, Myles, Christian, Amelia, Nikola, and Zackary—were a constant source of pride and joy, each carrying forward a piece of his spirit.

Michael, your steady presence, gentle guidance, and boundless love will echo through the lives you’ve shaped. Though you are no longer with us, your influence remains firmly rooted in the hearts of your children, their partners, grandchildren, family and friends who will carry your lessons and your advice forward with gratitude and pride.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Cardiology department at the Trillium Health Partners Foundation in his name.