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Michael Thomas Slinskey
Michael Thomas Slinskey
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Michael Slinskey Obituary
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Michael was born on June 10, 1969 in Beacon and was a 1987 graduate of Beacon High School. He was currently employed by Dutchess Recreational Vehicles in Poughkeepsie.
A pillar of the Hudson Valley running scene for over 30 years, he was an avid runner who held many records. Mike has competed in over 20 marathons, and countless 5K and 10K races over the decades. He was a two-time Olympic trial qualifier and placed 1st in the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon in 2012. Mike was a member of the Mid-Hudson Road Runners Club and was the founder and coach of Grassroots Running.
Known to many as Coach Slinskey, he has been the Track and Cross-Country Coach at Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie for over 10 years, bringing home many State Championships. He has also coached many recreational clubs.
On September 7, 2024 in Highland, he married his partner of almost 8 years, Katherine Lockhart. He is also survived by his daughter, Meghan Slinskey (Erich); his mother, Carolyn Muller; his stepdaughters, Ellis Lockhart (Evan), Victoria Zinkowski (Tyler), Alexandria Lockhart, and Gabriella Lockhart; his sister, Karen Powles (Bill); KC and Zakai Powles; Billy Powles (Autumn and Gunnar); his mother-in-law, Sarah Hartley; many nephews and nieces, especially Trisha Van Tassel-Betley (Jason) and her children Robert Jackson and Christopher Jackson; and his former wife, Linda Nevelus. Coach Slinskey will also be missed by the countless students, both current and past, who became his family over the years.
Michael was predeceased by his father, Michael Joseph Slinskey; his step-father, Herbie Muller; and his brothers, Robert Van Tassel and William Van Tassel.
The family would like to thank Hudson Valley Hospice as well as his current and former students and their parents, for their support, care, and compassion.
A scholarship is being set up in memory of Coach Slinskey for students who are passionate about consistently bettering themselves, as he would always say "Be better today than yesterday because Coach Slinskey says you can!" Checks should be made payable to Our Lady of Lourdes High School, 131 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. Please reference "In Memory of Mike Slinskey".
In lieu of a funeral service, a 5K in his memory will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the McHoul Funeral Home. Inc. Please visit Michael's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Gail Resko
June 27, 2025
Condolences to all the family. I remember him as a little boy at Lake Walton where his grandparents and mine (Mary&Rocky Gallo) spent summers. I was always thrilled to see him running through the years. So glad he instilled his passion in his students.
De Dollard
June 27, 2025
There are some people who race through life with such grace, strength, and heart that their presence leaves an imprint long after they´re gone. Mike was one of those rare souls-a gifted runner, a devoted father, and a deeply encouraging presence in the lives of those lucky enough to know him.
One of my favorite memories of him takes me back to a race in Wappingers Falls. He was a young father and was in his element. He sprinted up the hill toward the finish line on his way to winning the race, his signature blonde mullet flowing behind him, those unmistakable sunglasses on, and his baby daughter Meghan cradled in his arms! It was a perfect snapshot of who he was-strong, full of life, and always making room for the people he loved most.
Over the years, we became friends. Though I run at a pace that could only be described as a snail's crawl compared to his lightning stride, he never made me feel less than a hero myself. Instead, he cheered me on, reminding me that every step mattered, that the effort counted just as much as the speed. His encouragement was steady and genuine, much like his friendship.
I will miss him deeply. I will miss his kindness, his spirit, his laughter, and the way he inspired those around him-on and off the track. He ran the race of life with heart, and we are all better for having run part of it alongside him.
Mark J Coleman
June 24, 2025
So sorry to hear of Mike's passing. He was a fierce competitor; but really nice guy.
James DeLorenzo, DPM
June 24, 2025
Met Mike many years ago at a few races and had seen him compete in may more. A phenomenal competitor and, I have heard, as a coach. Sorry to hear about his passing. My condolences to his family.
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Cameron Nash
June 23, 2025
My condolences to Coach Slinskey´s family, friends, and to everyone who knew him he will be missed
Lawrence Cooper
June 23, 2025
My Condolences to the family
Sandra Edwards
June 23, 2025
So sorry for your loss. We will miss him around the "Oval Office".
Sandra Edwards- Westchester Track Officials
Zachary Kudlak
June 22, 2025
Mike was one of the toughest and fiercest runners, and he helped push me to my best times when I had the chance to run with him in 2010-2013. We spent many miles together on Beacon track or on a hilly long run in Wappinger Falls; that was, until he decided to drop the pace! Thanks Mike for all your inspiration throughout the years. My condolences go out to all of his family and friends. You will long be remembered for your love for running and for life.
Joseph Jabbour
June 22, 2025
I was a football player when I decided to join Coach Slinskey's cross country team as a way to recover my surgically operated knee after tearing a meniscus and ACL. I was 9 months out of surgery and had only done physical therapy by this point. When I joined the team, Coach Slinskey saw what I couldn't see all along, and made sure that I always pushed myself to my limit. I never thought I could run even a mile without taking a break, let alone a 5k, let alone the 5-8 mile runs we would later go on to do, however, he saw what I did not. He gave me the pressure I needed all along, not only strengthening my knee and its stability but strengthening my trust in an enduring mind, learning that my will to succeed can overcome any physical obstacle I thought was in my way. I have been in college for three years, and have been chasing the obstacles that I would have otherwise seen as hard impenetrable barriers, more focused and determined to cross that path than ever before. He has changed my outlook on what it means to hold responsibility, take matters into my own hands, and become the man I want to be. Coach Slinskey will always be in my heart and mind as the man who I could come to and he would relax my nerves before I started a race, and the person who I had always admired. I unfortunately found out too soon about the circumstance, and would have otherwise wished to have visited or reached out to show my love and appreciation. Thank you for all you have done, for changing my life, and for changing the lives of many.
Carrick Sculley
June 22, 2025
Coach Slinskey was one of the best parts of my high school experiences at Lourdes. I did NOT want to do cross country but Coach Slinskey spent just as much time and pushed me just as hard as he did the best runners on our team. He was a no nonsense type of guy who was ALWAYS there for the team come rain or come shine, apparently coming to practice even after getting hit by a car one time! Apart from being a fantastic coach, he was an amazing man who was always there for every member of the team. I fondly remember one time he bumped into myself and two other team members at the dunkin´ donuts on Vassar Road, insistent that he paid for our order but not forgetting to tell us that donuts were no way to prepare for a run. Although I did not want to do cross country at the time, it is because of Coach Slinskey´s efforts and love of the sport that I am still an avid runner today. He played an instrumental role in the development of my physical and mental strength, something that has helped me immeasurably throughout my adult life. I will always have a part of him with me every time I put my running shoes on and I will forever be grateful for that. He was an absolutely amazing coach and an even better man, and his absence will leave a huge hole in our hearts and our community. I will miss him very much.
Stephen Arnett
June 22, 2025
I remember when Mike Slinskey ran at Beacon High School as a competitor. He was always an extremely tough competitor as a runner and always a gentleman while directing the highly successful running program at Our Lady of Lourdes High School. Mike represented all the best our sport has to offer. He will be sorely missed by his athletes and the entire local running community. May we, in his memory, live the words he challenged us to live by, "Be better today than yesterday."
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