Freestyle skier Michael Lillis, 17, of E. Rochester dies in sleep

Michael Lillis, a 17-year-old freestyle skier from East Rochester, died in his sleep at his home Saturday. Lillis was described as "a rising star in U.S. Ski & Snowboard's Elite Aerial Development Program" in an article on the U.S. Ski Team's website.

Lillis, known as Mikey, was found unresponsive by his parents Saturday morning the article said.

Reached by telephone on Sunday, Johnny Kroetz, head coach of the Bristol Mountain freestyle team, was reeling from the news of Lillis’s death. Michael's brothers, Jonathan and Chris, joined the Bristol Mountain program in 2001, when Michael was just a year old, and Kroetz became close to the Lillis family. 

Olympics:Jon Lillis is jumping for Mikey

“We’re really in a fog right now trying to figure out what any of this means — how this is even possible,” Kroetz said, noting that Lillis was an athlete who was in better shape than most of the population. “This isn’t supposed to happen.”

“He always was a very, very happy-go-lucky kid,” Kroetz said. “There was always a little more levity in the room [when he was there]."

In addition, Lillis trained hard at his sport.

“He probably of the three brothers had the most natural ability,” Kroetz said.

His parents, Bernie and Jamie Lillis, said that they are in shock and confused as to what caused their son's death, saying that the night before had been just like any other.

"On his last day, Michael did exactly what he wanted to do. He went to dinner with his family and watched the Yankees with his grandma. At 11:30 p.m. he wished me goodnight, and then he just didn’t wake up," said Bernie Lillis. "It didn’t make sense. We were out watching baseball and he went to bed like he did every other day for 17 years."

He went on to say that both he and his wife have been touched by the messages of support they have received since the news of their son's passing.

"He was just a special kid. Everywhere he went he lit up the room and we’ll miss him. He was a tremendous athlete, a diehard Bills and Yankees fan, a great brother, a great son," said Bernie Lillis. "It's been unbelievable getting messages of condolence from people all around the world. People have been posting pictures and offering us their thoughts. It's pretty humbling to see such outreach."

Despite facing loss, those close to Lillis say they are doing their part to offer their support to one another and continuing forward in the way that he would have wanted.

The freestyle team is in its off season, but does informal hikes at noon on Sundays at Bristol to get into shape and build camaraderie. Kroetz planned to do the hike as usual Sunday.

“I felt that it was important that we all get together and keep moving,” he said. “There’s nothing we can do to bring him back. It’s such an awful situation.”

“It’s a really close, tight-knit community. That’s what I love about freestyle. It’s a small community so everyone is really tight and close.”

U.S. Ski & Snowboard Mourns Sudden Passing Of 17-Year-Old Mikey Lillis

A statement on the Bristol Mountain Ski Resort Facebook page read: "Please keep the Lillis family in your thoughts and prayers. Bernie, Jamie, Jon and Chris lost a son and brother today. We honor a wonderful young man who always had a twinkle in his eye and who was a terrific athlete. Mikey was much loved and will be greatly missed by so many."

"We are a family and as a family our entire team grieves for Mikey, his own family and his teammates," U.S. Ski & Snowboard President and CEO Tiger Shaw said in a statement. "We'll remember him for the pathway he was following and the goals he was beginning to achieve. Our condolences go out to his parents, Bernie and Jamie, and the entire Lillis family."

Fellow freestyle skier Brian Gardiner paid tribute to Lillis on Instagram, writing: "I'll never forget the time we almost collided in mid air at the show this summer. All those days training with you are burned into my brain forever. Can't even begin to say how much I'll miss you bud. Rest easy and make sure you see your toes pieces up there in Heaven bud. Love you man. See you soon."

Two other Lillis brothers, Jonathan and Chris, are also freestyle skiers and were at preseason aerials camp in Saas-Fee, Switzerland, at the time of their brother's death, the article stated.

Both brothers were returning home to be with their family.

There was no word yet on a memorial service.

Lillis' Instagram account posted recent photos of Lillis at summer training and his Youtube channel features a video showing the family's involvement in aerial skiing.