Michael Edward Lefanowicz, 25 years old, of Charlottesville, Va., passed away peacefully from a complicated battle between infections and medicines on Monday June 3rd at the University of Virginia Medical Center. Michael was born August 19th, 1993 in Eugene, Oregon. He is the son of Craig Edward Lefanowicz and Jennifer Moore Lefanowicz, and the sister of Brianne Marie Lefanowicz. In addition to his parents and his sister, Michael is survived by his uncle, Mark Lefanowicz and his wife Kathy; his aunt, Lynn Tushup and her husband Bob; his uncle, Geoffrey Moore and his wife Deborah; his uncle, Roger Moore and his wife Kelli; and, his uncle, Richard Moore and his wife Joyce; and wonderful cousins and their children. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and his aunt, Kris Lefanowicz Kielian.
Michael graduated from Western Albemarle High School in 2012. While at Western, he loved, and won numerous awards for, his work with computer-aided design and architectural studies. He pursued his passion for design in the ACE Program where he delighted in building, and using, multiple trebuchets and thoroughly enjoyed mentoring younger students. Michael had a deep love of design which he also expressed through his art work.
After graduating from Western, Michael first attended Piedmont Virginia Community College, and then transferred to Virginia Tech where, not surprisingly, he majored in engineering.
Michael had a heart transplant when he was one year old, and as that heart wore out, he was blessed with a second heart. We are deeply grateful for the families whose decision to participate in organ donation gave Michael the chance for life. Although Michael struggled with health challenges and was not in robust health, he remained positive and happy.
Michael was happiest playing with Legos as a child, playing cards and board games with family and friends, video games with friends around the globe, and going out to dinner with family. He enjoyed watching Marvel movies, shows and sports with his Dad—especially the Detroit Red Wings. Michael loved the family dogs from Shadow to Brooke to Comet and Chili. He enjoyed being outside and observing nature. He fell in love with his uncles’ farm in Ohio. He particularly enjoyed his summer visits to Northern Michigan with family, friends, Killwins’ Ice Cream and other favorite Michigan treats. Michael lived his life with a quick wit and a fabulous, dry sense of humor.
Our family would like to thank the UVA Cardiovascular Team, especially Drs. James Bergin and Leora Yaboro and Michael’s nurse, Beth Fallin; the UVA Kidney Team and especially Michael’s nurse, Lynne Hill, of the Home Dialysis Program; the UVA Continuum Home Health Team; and all the compassionate members of UVA Hospital’s TCV & CCU Teams.
A service and celebration of Michael’s life will be held on Saturday, June 8th, 2019 at the Teague Funeral Home, 2260 Ivy Rd, Charlottesville, VA. Visitation will begin at 3:00pm with a service starting at 4:00pm.
Memorial donations to support families of transplant patients may be made in his name to Transplant Patient Assistance Fund, c/o April Rehberg, University of Virginia Health System, Box 800265, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0265
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