Comments on: In Loving Memory of Mike Skurski

By: Pat Domain

Pat Domain — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 23:37:56 +0000

Never expected to find this sad news on a web search. I was thinking of Mike as I often do, wondering what he might be up to. Remembering his friendly smile. What a wonderful genuine person he was. He taught me to run BCC’s Sunrise computer. in Chicago. He was a great friend. I am very sad.

By: Eric Brown

Eric Brown — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 22:02:30 +0000

I just learned of Mike’s death and am saddened at the loss. I first met Mike in the late 90’s. For those of you who knew him, Mike was one of those guys that was brilliant but still had a friendly warmth that often caught you off guard. A rare combination in a man. I had the priviledge of doing some freelance design work for him and Total Integration and always enjoyed working with his company. He will be missed.

I hope to see him on the other side.

By: Terry Carter

Terry Carter — Mon, 22 May 2006 15:04:05 +0000

Wow, what a shocker. I grew up with Mike, he lived the next street over and his cousins lived straight across from me, so we saw Mike alot. I remember playing hide and seek on summer nights and him coming over to hang out, play pool and listen to music with my brother, Bill. Back in his high school years he did alot of pinstriping. He did my brothers car and my husbands car and boat. I was so shocked to hear the news, my thoughts and prayers go out to his parents, sister, children, and Majka Family (his aunt,uncle and cousins who lived across from me). Mike, you’ll be sadly missed.

By: Kenny Solov

Kenny Solov — Wed, 10 May 2006 02:58:06 +0000

Mike, I miss you. I miss talking with you. Your parents are trying their best to make it, and I talk with your sister evey now and then. She’s going through some tough times, and needs you too. I’ve heard that the boys are getting better, though some times they want to be with Mom so much because they don’t want to be alone. Anyway, I hope that someway you hear this message, and know that I wish we could spend another night talking about all the legends we created back in the day.

By: Margaret Johnson

Margaret Johnson — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 20:21:13 +0000

hello my little skurski bear. i really, really miss you. i miss you like i miss the sun on a rainy day.

By: robbie

robbie — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 22:45:45 +0000

I keep thinking about Mike. Such a spirit he has left behind. So many memories of technical challenges, that he made fun. Reading the comments brings tears to my eyes. Mike, so down to earth… so open and honest. I do miss you….

By: Noel Williams

Noel Williams — Mon, 16 Jan 2006 21:24:32 +0000

My partner, John Kriho, and I only recently heard of Mike’s passing. Needless to say, we were shocked and saddened by the news. We met Mike many years ago and have caught up with him from time to time during the course of doing business. He was a great guy and will be missed.

Our deepest sympathies to Mike’s family and friends.

Noel Williams
Meadows Publishing Solutions

By: Piotr Skurski

Piotr Skurski — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 22:32:50 +0000

Once I heard about a guy whose last name was identical to mine. It was Mike. Since then I was checking how he was doing every so often, just by watching his career and so on. It may seem weird but I have never contacted him. I felt the connection though, maybe because of the fact that my last name is a very rare one, even in Poland where I live.
Sleep in peace, Mike.

Piotr Skurski
(piotr@hydrogen.hec.utah.edu)

By: Paul Dombrowski

Paul Dombrowski — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 03:53:45 +0000

I met Mike at Digicon Graphics in New York, in the early 90s. He bounded into the room, full of energy, with a plan and smile. Welcome to the first day of life with Mike. No way I could have known then of the many rich gifts Mike would bring to our lives over the next 15 years. Or that he would leave us way too soon. He could talk and laugh for hours while working on his latest impossible project, tirelessly, with endless optimism. No problem couldn’t be solved. Unless he gave that firm shake of his head, “no” with jaw set tight. Then you knew it was impossible. Coffees at dawn and late night with Mike centered your thinking. No worries about the past. Only, “What’s now? How do we get there from here?” Mike’s talented blend of technological know-how and entrepreneurial spirit created scores of products and delivered them to appreciative customers. Nicholas and Stephen knew a beautiful dad. They gave us the most touching tribute you’ll ever see, twin 11-year-old sons, singing their favorite song together at the close of Mike’s final visitation. Singing their hearts our just like when they were together with dad. Loving life. Living the moment. Mike, you taught us how to love. We’ll carry on your work and dreams from here. You have your business card and 4 quarters, all you’ll need to make millions in heaven and get to be buds with all the techno angels.

By: Chris Vaccaro

Chris Vaccaro — Sat, 12 Nov 2005 05:47:40 +0000

My deepest condolences to the Skurski family. I had only met Mike once thru his sister Paula,however brief he made an impression.

By: Andrei Herasimchuk

Andrei Herasimchuk — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 09:35:29 +0000

I remember the first time I met Mike, at a Thunder Lizard conference for Photoshop 2.5 or 3.0… It was back in the early 90s, during the heyday of the entire DTP and imaging revolution. He was in incredibly kind, intelligent and giving person then, and I will always remember him as a kind, intelligent and giving person through the years I had known him.

God bless, Mike. I will always remember you and how much you gave to this world. You were truly a great talent and wonderful human being.

By: John Urban

John Urban — Mon, 07 Nov 2005 14:36:59 +0000

I was a very young art director working at an ad agency in the Western New York area in the late 80’s. One very late night Mike and I were trying to get some film to rip at a local color seperation house, I was very excited working on the Mac and fed off the energy Mike brought to all the projects we worked on. Anyway, we had just downloaded all the necessary files, I am watching over Mikes shoulder at the time and he is verbalising what he is doing, partly to help me understand the process, partly for himself. He is already, backs up his chair, stands, motions me over next to him, his finger hovers over the return key preparing to start the process-Mike smiles at me and says “Alright this is the most important part” he holds up both hands, crosses his fingers, and starts a mantra “Please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please…” I remember laughing until I cried.
He made things funny.
He made sense out of this new and exciting world.
Mostly, Mike made things better.
I will miss him.

I wish those who survive Mike all my best.
Thank you.
John

By: robbie

robbie — Sat, 05 Nov 2005 13:33:55 +0000

Mike,
I know that some how you’ve figured a way to get the internet in heaven; and you’re reading this right now……
You’ve helped so many people along your path, and you truly did “make a difference”.
Your laugh was infectious, your knowledge, drive and desire were stimulating; you were truly a genuine person, and a welcome friend.
You were like a brother to me. We could talk and laugh, be serious and technical. Why did you have to leave so soon? What’s it like there?
Steve and Nick were so incredibly fortunate to have you as their dad. They’re hearts will be heavy for a long time; as will be mine.
This is such a nice tribute to you and for your family and friends to know how much of a difference you have made, to so many people. I pray for his family, and all those close to Mike; that they will be held by his spirit, aand strengths.
I’m gonna miss you Mike.
Your friend,
Robbie
ministicks.com

By: Sue Davignon Mangers

Sue Davignon Mangers — Thu, 03 Nov 2005 13:51:21 +0000

Thank you for putting such a beautiful tribute together for Mike! I went to high school with him and had kept in touch through the years, knowing more of the personal side and not very much of the professional side. It just goes to show that he was not only a man with a huge heart and great personality, but modest in his success and achievements. He will be sorely missed by many. My deepest sympathies to his sons, parents, sister and his professional family.

By: Hugh Croft

Hugh Croft — Wed, 02 Nov 2005 17:13:52 +0000

My condolences to all those close to him. And thanks to him and his colleagues whose work has opened up such a marvellous hobby for me.

By: Clay White

Clay White — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 22:25:49 +0000

My condolences as well. It was not time to lose such a talent. Reading of Mike’s long list including so many of the the plugins I lived by, Fast Edit for one, saddens me even more. Those tools were like my friends. They held a bit of Mike’s spirit. Sorry he is gone.

By: Glenn McLaughlin

Glenn McLaughlin — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 20:13:44 +0000

A sad day and a great loss for our community,the PixelGeniuses, and most of all, his family. I’m very sorry.

glenn

By: Rod Wynne-Powell

Rod Wynne-Powell — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 19:41:23 +0000

I was saddened to see this notice today, and although I never met Mike, I knew of his work with the Pixel genius crew, and realise he will be greatly missed, and I would like to add my best wishes to his family and friends.
Rod

By: Theo Streibel

Theo Streibel — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 18:01:37 +0000

I am so sad to read this news. I just met Mike at the D-65 workshop in Chicago. He had such a bright and friendly aura about him, and he happily answered my questions. What an incredible loss. My thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends.

-theo

By: Lauren Grabelle

Lauren Grabelle — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 15:07:07 +0000

I’m so saddened by the news. I met Mike at PhotoExpo a few years ago. He was not only incredibly bright but generous, kind, and a true gentleman. I enjoyed the short time I knew him. My deepest sympathies to his family and his friends at PixelGenius.