Michael Anthony Sroczynski

Michael passed away peacefully in his sleep at home in San Antonio, Texas. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to parents Anthony and Lottie Ann Sroczynski. When he was a young boy, his family moved to Mentor, Ohio, where Michael grew up exploring the Mentor Marsh and Mentor Lagoons (national and state wetland preserves) and sailing on Lake Erie. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America and served as an altar boy at St. Bede the Venerable Roman Catholic Church. Michael graduated from St. Joseph High School in Euclid, Ohio, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology degree from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, where he and Linda met.

After marrying, the couple moved to Houston, Texas, where Michael began a long career in the oil and gas industry. Working both in this country and abroad, they lived in Lafayette, Louisiana; Maturin, Venezuela; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; and Houston and San Antonio, Texas. Michael travelled as well to Bogota, Colombia, and Ciudad del Carmen, Mexico, for on-going projects. During this time, he completed graduate level work at the then University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette, and Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Michael was a member of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, the Society of Independent Earth Scientists, the South Texas Geological Society, the San Antonio Geophysical Society, and the Geological Society of San Antonio. He served in a number of officer positions with these organizations, and he held current membership in the Petroleum Club of San Antonio.

Michael 's lifetime interests included all puzzles and games, reading, hiking, travel, and gardening. He and Linda became Bexar County Master Gardeners in 2006, with Michael choosing to volunteer mainly in children's gardens at the San Antonio Botanical Garden and Phil Hardberger Park. His fellow gardeners are planning a living memorial. Michael enjoyed leisure travel throughout the United States and Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, and parts of Europe. He was particularly fond of Yellowstone National Park and the Lake District in England.

Michael was laid to rest on June 10, 2022, at Foxfield Preserve at The Wilderness Center, near Wilmot, Ohio. Among those attending the graveside ceremony were his best friend from high school and his college roommate for three years.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Linda Slugg Sroczynski, of San Antonio, Texas; brother, Martin J. Sroczynski and sister-in-law, Grace Sroczynski, of Mentor, Ohio; aunt, Jaye Sroczynski Burlage of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; brothers-in-law, Roger C. Slugg, of Sparks, Nevada, and Robert M. Slugg, of Portland, Oregon; niece, Ellen Slugg and nephew, Byron Slugg, of Fort Worth, Texas; nephew, Nicholas Slugg, of Portland, Oregon; and numerous cousins in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Florida.

A memorial event with friends and colleagues in San Antonio is planned for a later time.