Michael Nicholas Cyrol

Passed away peacefully at the age of 76 in Kalamazoo, Michigan on December 9, 2012 following a long struggle with dementia and its associated complications. Mike was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 10, 1936 to Michael and Lillian (Pietrowicz) Cyrol. He went on to attend Henry Ford College and then received a Bachelor of Science in Education at Eastern Michigan Univeristy. In 1959 he had a brief service with the National Guard before returning home to Detroit and completing a Master's Degree in Education. In 1960 he married Dorothy (Dot) Bush and remained a loving husband until her death in 2004. Together they raised two daughters: Deanna and Michelle, and an assortment of pets (dogs, frogs, guinea pigs, rats, quail... ). Mike is remembered for his sense of adventure, his unconventionality and his generosity. He was always willing to think outside the box and enjoyed new challenges. Favorite activities included hiking, skiing, euchre with the family, and socializing with family friends. After taking up running later in life he completed several marathons and was an active member of the Redford Roadrunners. Family was always a priority for Mike. Vacations were usually spent hiking in Colorado, enjoying the beach at Hilton Head, or visiting family in Pennsylvania when his kids were younger. When his daughters had families of their own he joined them on trips to Germany, Florida, Mackinac Island, Mexico, and more. Professionally, he was a professor of photography at Oakland Community College. Personally, he was known for his candid pictures of various events from church camp to running events to family gatherings, many of which he developed in his own darkroom. In addition to photography he enjoyed coin collecting, writing, stained glass, building doll houses, and tinkering with cars as hobbies. Mike and Dorothy raised their family in Livonia, Michigan and were active members of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church. After Dorothy's death he moved to Pennsylvania and spent several years living with his daughter, Michelle, until moving to Kalamazoo in 2009. Mike was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy and his sister, Irene Cyrol. He is survived by his daughters and their families: Deanna Mayo, her husband Scott, and their children Eric and Braden of Galesburg, Michigan; and Michelle Meinhart, her husband Pete, and their children Kole and Wolfie of Yardley, Pennsylvania. VISITATION: The family will receive friends at Manns-Ferguson Funeral Home, 17000 Middlebelt, Livonia, Michigan on Friday, December 14th from 4-8:00pm. SERVICES: Services will be held at the Funeral Home on Saturday, December 15th at 11:00am. A luncheon at Mama Mia's restaurant will follow the Service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to : Oakland Community College Foundation 2480 Opdyke Road Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304-2266 Or Alzheimer's Association P.O. Box 96011 Washington, DC 20090-6011 Alz.org