Michael Plaks

November 7, 1951 - April 25, 2022

Michael Edward Plaks was born on November 7, 1951 in Brooklyn, New York, son to the late Martin and Elaine Plaks and brother to Roz Kantor. He grew up in West Hempstead, close to his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, whom he saw nearly every weekend. He spent countless hours playing basketball and baseball with his friends. He fell in love with the New York Yankees at an early age. He went to many games at Yankee Stadium, and once convinced the Yankees’ very own Hector Lopez to give him and his friends a ride home. When it came time for college, he picked one out of a catalog—Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. He thought to himself “What have I done?” as he drove along the roads of Appalachia for the first time on his way to freshman orientation, but OU turned out to be an excellent choice. He made wonderful, life-long friends, and met his wife, Chris. Athens always held a special place in his heart and he returned there to visit many times throughout his life. After graduation Michael and Chris moved to their favorite spring break destination—sunny South Florida. He loved going to the beach and playing in the pool with his daughter, Mallory, when she was a kid. For the last eight years Michael lived part-time in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where he enjoyed walking the campus of UNC and attending sporting events with his friends. Inspired by his father’s work ethic, Michael worked hard his whole life and took pride in what he did. As a young adult he had a series of odd jobs that built his professional perseverance, including one that required him to teach himself to drive a stick shift van so he could deliver paint cans across New York City, as well as a brief stint hanging (or attempting to hang) drywall. One day he answered a classified ad to work at an insurance company, launching what would become a successful 40-year career in disability insurance. He rose through the sales and management ranks of a large national company before starting his own agency, which he proudly ran for 24 years alongside his long-time assistant and friend, Linda Knopp. He attributed his success in business to working hard, always doing things the right way, and being pleasantly persistent. Michael loved spending time with his family and friends. He liked to travel, and his adventurous spirit took him to beautiful places both on and off the beaten path, including memorable trips to visit Mallory in Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras. Sports were a consistent and meaningful part of his life. When he moved to South Florida he embraced the local sports teams. He loved going to Dolphins, Canes, Heat, Panthers, and Marlins games with his cousin, friends, and colleagues, and watching them on television at home with Mallory. When Mallory went to college at the University of North Carolina, Michael quickly became an avid Tar Heel fan. One of his favorite memories was going to Detroit with Mallory in 2009 to see UNC win the NCAA men’s basketball national championship. Michael was a true mensch—a deeply honorable man with the utmost integrity. He was a wonderful father, a loving and kind husband, a loyal brother and brother-in-law, an extraordinary uncle, a dependable friend, and an inspirational and generous boss. He was a special person who made a positive impact on so many lives, only to have his own cut short by a rare cancer. His family and friends will remember him for his kind and gentle spirit, as well as the grit and grace he showed when facing exceedingly difficult circumstances. They are all better people for having known him, and they will miss him greatly. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a cause you deem worthy of support. Michael’s family welcomes visitors at 777 Bayshore Drive, Unit 603, Fort Lauderdale 33304 on Friday April 29th from 1-3pm and Saturday April 30th from 7-9 pm. On Sunday May 1st the family welcomes visitors at 7712 Bridlington Drive, Boynton Beach 33472 from 1-5 pm. Services are private under the direction of Levit Weinstein/Beth David Chapel, Hollywood, FL