Michał Józef Meissner

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Michał Józef Meissner, a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend. On Tuesday, January 7th, Michał, 61, passed away peacefully in his sleep in Leadville, Colorado, while pursuing his dream of sharing the gift of skiing with others.

Born with an adventurous spirit and unwavering determination, Michał lived a life that exemplified courage, resilience, and generosity. He immigrated from Poland to the United States during the Cold War in pursuit of a brighter future. Through sheer grit and intelligence, he earned degrees from Boston College (B.S. in Economics and Business Administration) and Thunderbird School of Global Management (MBA in International Business), paving the way for an extraordinary career.

As an international businessman, Michał left his mark across the globe, working in Germany, Poland, Russia, Japan, Cyprus, California, and beyond. His passion for connecting with others transcended borders, bolstered by his fluency in four languages. Later in life, he embraced his entrepreneurial spirit by founding RediBike in Fort Wayne, Indiana, merging his love of endurance sports with his innovative mind.

Beyond his professional achievements, Michał was a man of many talents and passions. An avid athlete, he excelled in cycling, triathlons, skiing, hockey, and tennis. He found joy in traveling the world, savoring its beauty and unique cultures. Whether sharing a pint at Oktoberfest or gliding down the slopes of the Dolomites, Michał brought enthusiasm and charm to every experience.

A devout Catholic and a man of profound kindness, Michał dedicated himself to his family, both near and far. His generous heart and wisdom made him a pillar of support for all who knew him. He was a creative problem-solver, a loyal friend, and a loving husband and father who cherished every moment with his wife of 29 years, Pam, his daughter, Gaby, and his son, Jake.

Michał is also survived by his sisters, Katarzyna Joanna Meissner and Anna Bogusława (Grzegorz) Cukrowska; his father-in-law, Stanley Abramowski; his brothers-in-law, Michael (Jenn) and Doug (Kristy) Abramowski; and his cherished nieces and nephews: Karina, Artur, Kayla, Julia, Ryan, and Allison. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Łucja Józefa Nuckowska-Meissner and Dr. Michał Janusz Meissner, and his mother-in-law, Marjorie Abramowski.

Michał’s legacy of love, generosity, and adventure will forever inspire those fortunate enough to have known him.

As we bid farewell to Michał, we celebrate a life well-lived and a man who showed us how to embrace the world with open arms and an open heart. May his memory be a blessing to us all.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 20, 2025 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic, 10700 Aboite Center Road, Ft. Wayne, IN 46804. Burial will follow at a later date. 

Friends are invited to share memories as the family invites you to join them in honoring Michal from 12 Noon to 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 19, 2025 at Greenlawn Funeral Home, 6750 Covington Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46804 and from 10:00 a.m. until the start of Mass on Monday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, honoring Michał’s commitment to the Catholic church or the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, honoring his children Jake and Gaby.