Miroslav Briestensky

Miroslav Briestensky, known to most as Mirko and to some as Mike, was born on August 30, 1963, in Považská Bystrica, Czechoslovakia. In the spring of 1968, at just five years old, he fled the country, led by his father, with his mother and sister on the last flight out before the Czechoslovakian airspace was closed. They began a new life outside Chicago, rebuilding from scratch with resilience and determination, eventually opening and running their own restaurant. After ten years in Illinois, the family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in April 1978, where they continued in the restaurant business, starting with one in Uptown Plaza.

Mirko's work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit emerged early. By 20, he had purchased his first real estate investment in Telluride, Colorado, and at 22, while working at the Arizona Biltmore and attending college, he opened his first restaurant.

It was at the Biltmore in 1985 that he spotted a beautiful blonde named Carolyn. After seven years of dating, delayed only by their tireless dedication to work, they married in October 1993.

Their greatest adventure began with the birth of their daughter Hanna in July 1996, followed by their son Alex in March 1998, and their daughter Mira in November 1999. Of all Mirko’s passions—family, real estate, and adventure—fatherhood was the one he cherished most.

He lived life at full speed. Summers were spent four-wheeling, hiking, mountain biking, and fly fishing. Winters meant skiing, snowmobiling, and seeking out new peaks to conquer. No matter the season, he loved playing and making memories with his 13 nieces and nephews. Later in life, he discovered scuba diving and found joy in sharing the thrill of underwater adventures with his children.

Like his father, Mirko believed in hard work and caring for his family. Like his mother, he was drawn to the sea. He was intelligent, compassionate, stubborn, wildly fun, and fiercely loving. He made strangers feel like family and friends feel like home. Whether you were a child, a relative, or someone he met on vacation, if you knew him, you knew joy—and probably found yourself singing in the car with him with the windows down at some point.

Even after his stage IV colon cancer diagnosis in September 2023, Mirko refused to let it slow him down. He saw it as an inconvenience—an obstacle to be worked around. In the final 18 months of his life, he skied 25 days, spent time at the beach, and danced his heart out at three weddings, including his daughter’s.

He loved fast cars, loud rock music, and living every moment to the fullest. He had a catchphrase for everything and would shout it across the house, the pond, or the hiking trail until everyone was saying it with him.

Miroslav Briestensky will be missed in every moment, every memory, and every adventure to come. But his vibrant spirit will echo in laughter, in road trips with music blasting, and on every mountain climbed or ocean explored.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn, daughters Hanna (28) and Mira (25), son Alex (27), father Ladislav, mother Eva, sister Lubka, and 13 beloved nieces and nephews.

Please join us in celebrating his life at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church on May 22nd at 10am, reception to follow in Anderson Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hospice of the Valley in Mirko’s name. Donate Now https://www.hov.org/donate/donate-now/