Michael Charles Polis

Michael Charles Polis

January 15, 2001 – November 19, 2022

Michael is the beloved youngest son of Gregory and Denise Polis, and cherished brother of Steven and Andrew. As a young child, Michael was always smiling and laughing. We said he was born with the “happy” gene. He possessed a high intelligence, a charismatic personality, and a great sense of humor. His warm heart tied these gifts together and sealed the “whole package.” We believed we would never have to worry about him; Michael was destined for success and happiness in life.

Michael had an uncanny intuition and an ability to read people at an early age. With a compassion for others, he was sensitive and felt his emotions deeply. He loved making people laugh and was the class clown and teachers’ pet. He also had a very independent nature. When his brothers decided they were Yankee fans, Michael decided he was a Mets fan. When his brothers decided to study Spanish and Italian, Michael decided he would study French. Although Michael was extremely intelligent, he didn’t enjoy school.  He was a free thinker, and he pondered everything deeply and critically. He didn’t want to simply memorize facts and figures; he wanted to know the meaning behind everything. “Why?” was still his most frequent word, challenging everyone and everything. He enjoyed intellectual sparring with his brother Steven. The two of them would debate various topics, such as faith, eschatology, etymology, and the meaning of life, with the common goal of uncovering truth. Hence, he chose to major in Philosophy and Psychology at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.

Michael and his brothers were close in age and did everything together when they were young—they built blanket forts, played Guitar Hero, had Nerf wars, and so very much more. They were always a dynamic trio. Annual skiing was a highlight for the three brothers and a favorite activity of Michael’s since he was 4 years old. Always different than his brothers, Michael eventually chose to snowboard while his brothers skied. This past March, the three brothers went to an obstacle course high in the trees outside of Sarasota, Florida. They had the usual brotherly competition during the incredibly challenging 5-hour course. They encouraged and ribbed each other, and in the end they all completed the entire course together, something only few people can accomplish.

Michael was athletic. He excelled at baseball and also enjoyed basketball. He made the tennis team at Manhasset High School and was a pole-vaulter for the track and field team. If you knew Michael, you know he was a ping pong champ, having taken lessons from an Olympic table tennis master. He made more than a few dollars betting with friends and classmates at his college apartment complex over games of ping pong.

Michael loved music. When he was in 4th grade, his music teacher had originally assigned him the French horn. He was not happy with his music teacher’s instrument choice for him and badgered his teacher until he agreed to let Michael play percussion. He was amazing at negotiation and rarely gave up when he wanted to do something. He went on to play drums in the Manhasset High School band, marching band, and jazz band and excelled at it. He enjoyed sharing his new favorite songs and artists with his brothers and friends that communicated his emotions. Michael also loved impromptu rap freestyles, where he would express his wit and creativity.

Michael was able to accomplish whatever he set his mind to. Notably, he chose to become a lifeguard, despite being an average swimmer. Upon making this decision, he practiced swimming for weeks with his brother Andrew, who coached him in the public pool to improve his timing and endurance. Shortly after, Michael passed his swimming test on the first try and became a lifeguard at Strathmore Vanderbilt Country Club. Most recently, Michael decided to become a licensed motorcycle dealer. He studied, tested, received his dealership license, established an LLC, found the appropriate commercial space, and ultimately set up the entire business on his own. He made his first sale three weeks ago.

Through all this Michael was struggling. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) began when he was a young child. In elementary school he began to experience anxiety. By early adolescence, Michael was becoming more distressed, anxious, and withdrawn. In high school, Michael was showing signs of depression, along with existential OCD. And at age 18, Michael was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder 1 in addition to these other diagnoses. For the past six years, he tried treatments around the country with every available therapy and medication.  He put in a Herculean effort throughout his life to try to manage his illness. He was a warrior.

Michael had experienced what seemed like the best 16 months of the last 10 years of his life. His illness seemed to be in control, and he was thriving. He lived in southern Florida for the last 3 ½ years and developed a wonderful, loving, supportive community with loyal friends. He enjoyed the weather, the beaches, fishing, swimming, playing pickleball, tennis, bowling, going for daily walks, playing the drums, painting, doing yoga, meditating, riding his motorcycle, working part-time, and going to college in Delray Beach. He attended many support groups, and helped others while working at a rehab facility. He was Vice President of the Recovery Community at FAU, and led motivational meetings to encourage others all over the Delray Beach area. He loved people and wanted to help everyone who struggled. Just one week before his passing, he was concerned about friends of his. He was helping them with their personal problems and checking up on them, while he himself was battling his mental illness.

Michael loved animals. He took care of a stray cat where he had lived in Florida. He missed his cats back home and would ask us to send pictures and videos of them. We are so proud of him and how he chose to live his life…his way. He was a shining light, a joyous energy, and an inspiration in the community. He touched and transformed lives. A former therapist of Michael described him as the most genuine, authentic, likeable, and special person he has known. He gave joy even when he was struggling and left a permanent engraving on everyone’s heart.

Recently the symptoms of his illness broke through, quickly and with a vengeance. We are devastated. Completely heartbroken. We all miss him tremendously. Michael changed every life he touched for the better. He showed us strength and courage. He taught us unconditional love, patience, compassion, empathy, and kindness. We are so grateful to God for having had him in our lives for almost 22 years to understand Michael profoundly and love on him every day.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Treatment Advocacy Center in Arlington, Virginia. Their mission is to improve mental illness treatment laws:

To stop the criminalization of mental illness--whereby prisons are used to store the mentally ill instead helping them through treatment facilities and hospitals.
To pressure our lawmakers to reestablish long-term facilities for those with severe mental illness.
To enact legislation that allows medical intervention for those with severe mental illness who lack insight into their illnesses.
To increase hospital beds for those in need of treatment.

8.8 million Americans suffer from a severe mental illness, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. These are chronic, lifelong medical brain disorders.

This past Mother’s Day Michael sent a plaque to his mother with a photo of them together. The engraving says, “Together We Will Change the World”. His mother knows they will.

Family will receive friends Tuesday, November 29, 2022, 5-8pm with a 7pm funeral service at the funeral home.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH SERVICE LIVE 

Professional arrangements by:
Gary Panoch Funeral Home
6140 N. Federal Highway
Boca Raton, FL 33487
561-997-8580
www.gpanochfunerals.com

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Treatment Advocacy Center in Arlington, Virginia. Their mission is to improve mental illness treatment laws.

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