Mike and Trudy Companion

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Trudy and Mike Companion announce their passing on October 3, 2012. Mike, age 77, was born on September 23, 1935 in Akron, Ohio. He attended the University of Pittsburgh where he earned a degree in Petroleum Engineering and a Masters of Business Administration. Trudy, age 76, was born on October 1, 1936 in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. She also attended the University of Pittsburgh, earning a Bachelor of Science in Bacteriology with Cum Laude honors. Mike and Trudy met in their senior year at Pitt. After both of their graduations, Mike joined Exxon and began a long career that took them and their family all over the country. While at Exxon Chemical, Mike was involved in the cleanup operations of several major oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska. After 32 years of service, he retired in 1991. Once the kids were older, Trudy joined Shell Oil Company and served for 18 years in the Safety, Health and Environmental group. In retirement, Trudy and Mike enjoyed a rich social life with their many friends from the Nottingham Forest neighborhood and Trudy's former colleagues from Shell. Mike also competed in the Senior Olympics at the both state and national levels, particularly excelling in the 1500 and 800 meter races. They enjoyed traveling the world, capped by a trip to Lebanon to see the home country of Trudy's parents and meet extended family members. Trudy is survived by her brother, Eugene Sam, and sister, Barbara Ambrosio. Mike is survived by his sister, Noreen Wyszynski. They are both survived by their children, Lydia Companion, Leslie Straughan and Michael Companion; their son-in-laws, Rob Straughan and Bill Lind; and their grandchildren, Jason Joachim, Jeremy Joachim, Matthew Straughan and Kevin Straughan. The family will receive friends on Friday, October 12th, 2012 from 1pm to 2pm in the Chapel of Forest Park Westheimer. The funeral service will begin at 2pm with the interment to follow at the same location. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials for Mike and Trudy be donated to the Alzheimer Foundation online at www.alzfdn.org or by mail (322 Eighth Ave, 7th fl., New York, NY 10001) or to St. George Orthodox Church (5311 Mercer Street, Houston, TX 77005).