Michael Joseph Bybee

In Loving Memory of Michael Joseph Bybee January 7, 1971 – December 30, 2024 Michael Joseph Bybee, beloved father, brother, and friend, passed unexpectedly on December 30, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of laughter, love, and aloha. Born on January 7, 1971, to Edward and Sandra Bybee, Michael grew up in beautiful Kailua, Hawaii, where ocean breezes, surfing, and the closeness of ohana shaped his easygoing spirit and playful heart. Michael was the kind of guy who made every room brighter. Outgoing, effortlessly funny, and full of life, he had a magnetic personality that turned everyday moments into stories people still tell. Whether speaking with a prominent political figure or the man bagging his groceries, he never met a stranger and turned every conversation into a connection. Dancing barefoot in the kitchen with his family on a Tuesday night, or in front of the camera as a media spokesperson for Comcast (where he worked for 17 years), Michael loved making people smile and feel seen. He relished the spotlight, where his wit and warmth captured the admiration of everyone around him. But nothing made him prouder or brought him more joy than being a dad. Michael adored his daughters, Malia and Ava, and often said he loved them “to the moon and back times infinity.” It was a running joke between them and said everything about the depth of their bond. He cherished their unique personalities, celebrated their accomplishments big and small, and had a special relationship with each of them. They were the absolute light of his life. Michael is predeceased by his parents, Edward and Sandra, and is survived by Malia and Ava; his brother, Sean; sister-in-law, Kourtney; and nephew, Gavin. He shared deep, lasting love with both Shelby and Tesa, and embraced his stepchildren, Ciela and Thane, as his own. Though his life included challenges, Michael met them with a wide-open heart and fearless joy. A graduate of Kalaheo High School and Columbia College Chicago alum, he carried the aloha spirit with him everywhere he went. Even after years of living on the mainland, he always said, “You can take the boy out of Hawaii, but you can’t take the Hawaii out of the boy.” Michael’s passing leaves a void, but his legacy of laughter, love, and light remains. In true island style, we will celebrate his life with an intimate paddle out on the morning of July 18, 2025, followed by a small gathering beginning at 10:30 AM at Lanikai Park Community Center, 126 Kaiolena Dr, Kailua, HI 96734. We’ll laugh, share stories, and remember the man who turned life into an adventure and loved with his whole heart. A hui hou, Michael. Until we meet again.

Michael Joseph Bybee

January 7, 1971 - December 30, 2024