Kyle Michael Kubanek

Kyle Michael Kubanek was born November 3rd, 1972 in Tampa Fla. and passed on September 7th, 2014. Kyle is survived by his parents Michael and Carolyn Foster Kubanek and by His Uncle and Aunt Gene & Mary Foster, Aunt Ruth Kubancek, Uncle and Aunt Dan & Mary Paxson, Uncle and Aunt Juan & Milly Ramirez and Many Cousins and Extended Family and Many Close Friends. Kyle graduated from Lake Mary H.S. and received his Bachelors Degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Florida. Kyle worked for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the last 13 Years. Kyle was a lover of Nature, had three very special Cats and was a Gator through and through. Kyle touched many people in his 41 years, there are many who have thanked Kyle for his help, training, and support. We have received over 100 e-mails or Facebook postings thanking Kyle for his help and support, covering many subjects from Drama, to DEP career assistance. Kyle was brilliant and was versed in many fields.

Kyle will be missed deeply by his parents, family and his special close friends.

A Transposition of the Great Arteries is a complex problem; the biggest issue with Kyle's 1973 solution was the Heart Pumps were reversed so the smaller pump with less volume and less pressure was tasked with supplying the blood to the body. That wears hard on this small pump and it becomes very weak over time. On the 4th of September the Shands Doctors were hoping his heart was just tired from being worked so hard in losing the 46 pounds of fluid he had built up during July. (Kyle was admitted to the Shands Emergency room on August 12th; he weighted 176 Lbs and over the following two to three weeks dropped 46 pounds). So on Sept. 4th the Shands Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) relieved the heart from all the work with the breathing machine and the heart pump hoping his heart would slowly recover, it was not tired, it was worn out, so it continued to become weaker and eventually Kyle's heart just stopped.

If a person is born today with a Transposition of the Great Arteries - the Great Arteries are Reversed using Micro-Surgery making the heart's flow normal and correct. Prior to the Micro-Surgery Technology this Great Artery Reversal NEVER worked so they did alternative procedures like the routing baffle inside the heart like Kyle had when he was 9 months old – the Mustard Procedure resulting in the reversed pumps. At 9 Months old we were told Kyle's life expectancy was around 16 years of age as that was the age of the very oldest Transposition patient in 1973. Kyle lived 39 years without a single heart issue. Then in 2012 he started experiencing chest pains, then a Pacer (Sept. 2012) was installed and the heart just continued to become weaker every month.

Kyle fought this problem like a real warrior; he worked his last 13 years at the Department of Environmental protection until May 7th of 2014 and passed just a few months after leaving work at the DEP, just 123 days. Kyle loved his work at the DEP and all his friends there meant an awful lot to Kyle.

We are so awful proud of our son Kyle this loss is just incredibly difficult.

To all who have sent us e-mails & Facebook comments about Kyle we greatly appreciate each and every effort to Love and Support Kyle's Memories.

If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. Henry David Thoreau

There will be a Memorial Service for Kyle Friday the 19th of September 2014. The Visitation is from 6 Pm to 7 Pm and the Memorial Service will begin at 7 PM. Kyle will be Cremated. The Funeral Home is: The Newcomer Funeral Home, 335 E State Road 434, Longwood, Florida 32750. (407) 260-5400

In lieu of flowers, Kyle had asked that any donations go to the Lake Mary Drama Club or any donation of your choice. You can send donations to:
Mike & Carolyn Kubanek
141 Rosebriar Dr.
Longwood, FL 32750

The Kubaneks will bring them to the Lake Mary Drama Club.

2014/09/11 Update: Some of our friends from the LMHS drama days have floated the idea of funding a small Scholarship in Kyle's name, maybe for a drama student who reflects some of Kyle's values or spirit. Marc Collins has volunteered to help us iron out the details to make this happen!!

Bless You All

Mike & Carolyn