"He was a lot of things. A personal friend to my family, a leader in the Arbutus business community, a successful small businessman who gave back," Mr. Ehrlich said. "Just one of those great family stories. He was very giving, very friendly."
Last year, Mr. Kostinsky was one of three Maryland business owners chosen to participate in a roundtable discussion on small business and health care with President Bush.
"Michael was so funny, just naturally funny, and he had Bush laughing," Ella Kostinsky said. "It was light conversation and they chatted, and that meant a lot to him, too."
Mr. Kostinsky was an exercise and squash enthusiast who had recently taken up kickboxing. Though he rarely took time off from work, he and his wife loved to travel and take cruises, and they were planning to spend more time exploring the world as Mr. Kostinsky eased his work routine.
"Little guy, big shadow," said Mr. Kostinsky's older brother, Harry Grant, owner of Sorrento West, an unaffiliated restaurant in Catonsville. "He was 5-foot-3, but it was the biggest funeral I've ever seen. ... The employees are incredibly dedicated to him. His customers, too. Just a nonenemies kind of guy."
Services were held Friday at Bethany United Methodist Church in Ellicott City.
In addition to his wife and brother, Mr. Kostinsky is survived by his son, Brandon Kostinsky, 17, of Ellicott City; his mother, Kathryn Kostinsky of Catonsville; and a sister, Karen Cohen of Palm Harbor, Fla.
