HIGHLAND - Michael Thomas Slinskey, 56, a lifelong area resident, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on June 20, 2025.

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".

A Funeral Mass is being held on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 4 pm at Holy Trinity Church, 775 Main Street Poughkeepsie followed by a Memorial Service at 5:15 pm at the track at Our Lady of Lourdes High School, 131 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie.

In addition, 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 .