Michael Allen Drinkwater

8/10/1953 – 12/26/2020

Michael “Mike” Allen Drinkwater, beloved husband, father, grandfather and generous friend to many, passed away peacefully at his home in Sunrise on December 26, 2020.

Born August 10, 1953 in Pittsburgh to Charles and Adeline Drinkwater, Mike—or “Jap,” as he was affectionately known by his childhood friends and family--was the second of their four boys. After graduating from Charleroi High School in 1973, Mike moved to Florida in 1976, quickly working his way up from counter agent to management in the rental car industry. He also spent several years working in ground transportation management at Miami International Airport for companies like Super Shuttle and Coach USA. Mike later became a licensed security officer and worked for many years as a security and surveillance professional at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Always one to embrace excitement and large crowds, he also enjoyed spending his free time working event security for concerts, live performances, and sporting events at South Florida’s largest venues, including the Dolphins Stadium, BB&T Center and American Airlines Arena.

An avid bowler and softball player, he met his future wife, Robin Fantazzo, at a bowling alley in 1982. Mike and Robin were married a year later, and in 1984, Robin gave birth to their only child, a daughter.

Mike’s active lifestyle and love of staying busy nearly came to a permanent halt in August of 2000, when he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare, incurable autoimmune disease that left him paralyzed throughout much of his body. Against all odds and determined to one day get back on his feet again, Mike underwent countless hours of intensive strength, endurance and mobility training in years of physiotherapeutic rehabilitation. In 2010, his perseverance and dedication paid off when he resumed driving, albeit with special hand controls, and he spent wasted little time in returning to the workforce.

In January of 2020, Mike was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer, which he battled bravely amid the COVID-19 pandemic. True to his Steel City roots and blue-collar work ethic, Mike remained optimistic and determined to overcome his latest health obstacle. Even as the cancer spread to his spinal area and he found himself once again immobilized and confined to a bed, he never gave up hope that he would one day walk again and be able to chase after his precious one-year old grandson.

A self-described sports junkie and Steelers fanatic, Mike was also passionate about his family (especially his baby grandson), poker, cruise vacations, and cheering on all sports teams clad in black and gold.

Mike is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Robin; brothers, Charles “Drinks”, Philip (Suzanne) and Donald; daughter, Michele (Adam); grandson, Logan; his feline “girls,” Callie and Roxy, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Babione Funeral Home (10060 Comercio Drive, Boca Raton, FL 33428). A burial service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery (1500 South State Road 7, North Lauderdale, FL 33068).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, which supports police and fire departments throughout the nation by providing service dogs/K-9 unit grants and the Make-A-Wish organization.