Michael Russell Chapnick

Michael Russell Chapnick, 42, unexpectedly passed away on May 9, 2026. There were so many reasons to love and admire him; he was cherished by all who knew him.

Born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Michael always had a heart for adventure. He loved the ocean, kayaking, and collecting seashells, and by the age of seven he could name every type of fish imaginable. He was compassionate and loving, taking in every hurt animal he ever came across.

Michael possessed a brilliant mind and a lifelong passion for learning. He taught himself Latin and karate, graduated from high school at age 14, earned a degree in geology, and went on to work as a hydrogeologist.

He loved art, with Jackson Pollock as his favorite artist.

He had a deep fascination with science and could talk for hours about black holes and other dimensions.

A libertarian at heart, he loved discussing politics and frequently shared his strong opinions on social media. Michael also wrote poetry and kept journals throughout his entire life. He was a devoted fan of Seinfeld and Star Wars, knowing both by heart.

You could never miss him when he walked into a room. He filled the space with laughter, and you always left the conversation with some fascinating new piece of information you never knew before.

He will forever be missed by those he loved so deeply. Michael is survived by his four children (Benjamin, Coral, Leyah, and Naomi), his mother Linda Garrigus Chapnick, his five siblings (Jonathon Porter, Robert Ferguson, Kelly Ferguson, Sarah Bean, and Chelsea Chapnick), and his beloved African Grey parrot, Cosmo.