Obituary
Michael “Mike” Joseph Jakubisin, 71, of Winter Park, Florida passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 1st, 2026 in Winter Park.
He was born in Akron, Ohio on July 16, 1954 to Paul Edward Jakubisin and Patricia Anne (Tobin) Jakubisin. A graduate of Bishop Moore High School, Michael earned his Bachelor of Arts at The University of Arizona, and his Master of Education at Wheaton College. From there, he served as Refugee Camp Manager working with Vietnamese refugees for World Relief in Hong Kong. It was there that he met and married his beloved wife of 39 years, Linda Gonschor Jakubisin, who was the coordinator of children’s education in the camp school.
As a young couple, Michael and Linda began their family in Orlando before moving to Linda’s native home of Hannover, Germany. There he learned German and taught English. Wherever life took him, Michael embodied his calling to teach and learn. Education was not only his vocation, but his passion. One of his proudest accomplishments was the twenty six years he served the Lake Highland Preparatory School community in Orlando, Florida. He is fondly remembered by his colleagues and the thousands of students whose lives he touched for his thoughtful, wise, and compassionate leadership. Following his retirement in 2019, Michael and Linda moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where they welcomed their first grandchild in July, 2020. They provided full time childcare, and spent three beautiful years in Nashville before returning to Central Florida.
Mike will be remembered for his quiet strength, steadfast loyalty, humility, and love. A seeker at heart, he led with curiosity and believed uncertainty could be a pathway to deeper spirituality. His faith, which began in the Catholic tradition, was enriched by wisdom from many paths and remained a lifelong source of reverence that culminated in his participation in the Center for Action and Contemplation’s Living School. Deeply contemplative and attentive to the sacred in everyday life, Mike found great joy in nature and quiet beauty, especially through travel, national parks, kayaking, and long road trips. He was a devoted volunteer at the Orlando Wetlands, where he enthusiastically shared his knowledge of native flora and fauna with visitors from around the world.
Michael was a devoted and steadfast husband, supportive and loving father, proud and encouraging father-in-law, and deeply engaged and hands-on grandfather (Opa) to his four grandchildren in whom he delighted endlessly. He was joyfully anticipating the birth of his fifth grandchild, expected by Janek and Sarah in February 2026.
He is preceded in death by his father, Paul Jakubisin; and his sister, Mary Lou Fess.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Gonschor Jakubisin; his son, Janek Jakubisin (Sarah Hoose); and daughters, Mia (Zach) Anderson and Emily Jakubisin; his grandchildren, Juniper, Amelie, Oaks, and August; his mother, Patricia Jakubisin; his brothers, Timothy (Mary Ellen), Stephen (Tricia), and Thomas (Heather) Jakubisin; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Michael lived with grace and strength. His life leaves a lasting legacy of curiosity, compassion, and hopeful faith–one that continues to guide and inspire all who were fortunate enough to know and love him.
If you feel led, please join us in honoring Michael’s life and legacy by donating to the Center for Action and Contemplation, Friends of the Orlando Wetlands, or St. Richard’s Community Garden (please select “Facilities Donation” and specify “Community Garden” in the memo).
Michael’s family would appreciate any stories, memories, or thoughts you feel led to share below. Your words are so meaningful to them as they mourn this tragic loss.
Service
5151 Lake Howell Rd, Winter Park FL, 32792
It was one of the defining weeks of my teenage life, filled with mis-steps, curiosity, minor run-ins with the Law in Hattiesburg, MS, and loads of fun memories. I would never have gone if it weren't for Mr. Jake. Carpe Diem! He was a 3D living, breathing, inspiring version of Robin Williams' character in The Dead Poet's Society, and that meant a lot in the 1990's.
His stories about the refugee camp in Hong Kong have stayed with me, 36 years after he told them in English class.
He's the dude, and the dude abides.
Thank you for helping shape me from a punk kid at a private school to someone who thinks more, speaks less, and appreciates the big questions in the universe.
I am honored to know you and work with you, I am sure you are the adorable angel in the other world too, probably smiling, reading and continue doing the kind things.
You were the kind of man who laid a path; quietly and steadily, and walked it before countless young men and women, guiding them by example rather than words.
Your legacy lives on in the lives you touched and the values you modeled. Thank you and please grant serenity to Janek, Emily and Mia in this time.
Your wisdom and advice was always appreciated. Thank you for always being such a kind-hearted person.
Nick,Michael,Briton
LHP Class of '14
Sincerely,
Trudy Bruner
Mike will be remembered, and he will be truly missed by all of the Darcey neighbors. Sending you love, comfort, and prayers
Thank you Mike!
I will always be deeply grateful to you for believing in me ! As a high school principal, you didn’t just hire me 18 years ago—you gave me the opportunity to grow as an educator, and to serve students and our community in a meaningful way. Your trust, guidance, and steady support made it possible for the Chinese program at Lake Highland to happen, to thrive, and through it, countless lives were changed for the better.
What made you truly special as a principal was not only your leadership, but your humanity. You saw potential in people, invested in them, and created a school community where students and staff felt valued, loved and supported. Your impact lives on in the programs you helped shape, the educators you mentored, and the students whose paths were forever changed because of your vision.
Thank you for opening doors, for leading with compassion, and for leaving a legacy that will continue to inspire us all. You will always be remembered—not just for what you did, but for who you were.
January 7, 2026
Walt and Nicole Justice
He possessed boundless energy and love for life. I remember a few midnight bike rides in downtown Orlando, where it was less about the bike ride and more about getting to know what was going on. What adult would take an interest in me let alone challenge me to midnight bike rides or teach me racquetball? As I look back, we would ride in his old green car, listen to the radio and he was always one that could really make me laugh whether he had just beaten the day lights out of me on the racquetball court or was teaching me to drive.
Mike was not afraid to talk about the hard things. One summer he and I went through the book or Romans which opened a world of discussions. To this day the study of Romans with Mike is a foundational part of my faith and walk with Jesus. On one of our trips to Kitty Hawk, in between sledding down the sand dunes or hanging at the beach, we had bible study on biblical relationships with both teenage boys and girls! On another trip along the Appalachian trail, I remember lying on a hill on a clear star filled night where you felt the sky was going to fall on you and Mike reminding us the same God who made that sky also made each one of us.
Another lasting reminder of Mike in my life is U2. Mike brought the album “Boy” to my house to listen and I was instantly hooked. But even better was seeing U2 open for the Alarm at the Orlando Fronton. This led to more U2 concerts as well as seeing Kansas, Jackson Brown and the Rez Band.
With hindsight, I can see now Mike’s self-sacrifice and enthusiastic love to come alongside a kid 12 years younger and share his time and heart. That was Mike. Humble enough to care, intelligent in passing on wisdom through experiences, always willing to share a hardy laugh. I look forward to our renewed future where the adventures will continue.
Also Mrs. Jakubisin, Michael’s brothers, other relatives, and friends—
Michael and I first met in 1973 when we were both 19. And we were last in touch on November 20th, 2025: that's 52 years!
What I most remember about Michael back then, what I admired and treasured, was his innocence, exuberance and child-like wonder; it was infectious. One small telling detail: Whereas most people would tell you they were going to the beach, Michael always said he was going to the ocean, embracing, wrapping his mouth around, and savoring that big, enveloping "O." We both worked at a daycare called “A Child’s Place” in those days. It seemed fitting.
Though I am a writer who loves words, there have been times throughout my life when I have found words inadequate, and this is one of those times.
I am so very sorry for your profound loss. I'm holding good thoughts for you all, and sending love.
Robin Lippincott
Danke, dass es dich wundervolle Person auf dieser Erde gegeben hat.
Danke, dass wir dich über Jahrzehnte in ganz tiefer Freundschaft erleben durften.
Danke, dass wir trotz der räumlich weiten Entfernung immer wieder eng zusammen gekommen sind.
Danke, dass du unser Leben mit deinen Gedanken und Meinungen bereichert hast.
Danke, dass du uns in Winterpark DEINEN Fluss gezeigt hast, auf dem wir zusammen Kanu gefahren sind.
Danke, dass du uns die wunderbare Natur der Wetlands gezeigt und erklärt hast.
Danke, zusammen mit den Manatees gebadet zu haben.
Danke, dass du mir den Orlando Magics Wunsch erfüllt hast.
Danke, dass wir zu Viert zusammen Essen gegangen sind.
Danke, für die vielen nicht erwähnten Momente.
Und Danke, für dich.
Wir denken du kannst ebenso Danke sagen für dein erfülltes Leben mit Linda, deinen Kindern und Enkelkindern. Denen hast du ein Stück von dir in den Genen weitergegeben und so lebst weiter und bist weiter ein Teil deiner wunderbaren Familie.
Liebe Linda, unzählige Danke für die schönen Momente mit Mike sind in deinem Herzen. Bewahre dir diese, damit sie dir Kraft geben in dieser schweren Zeit. Gerne wären wir ganz dicht bei dir bei Mike's Memorial. Wir werden weinend vor dem Video sitzen und in Gedanken ganz fest bei euch sein. In unserer weitergehenden Freundschaft wird auch immer ein Teil von Mike mit dabei sein.
Sei gedrückt, Silvia und Jörg