Michael Polos

Michael Polos of Murphy, NC passed away in his home on April 28, 2016. Mike was born January 16, 1927 in Brackenridge, son of George and Besse Polychronakis. He proudly served in the Army during WWII South Pacific and as part of the Occupation of Japan with the 81st infantry. After the war, Mike was a waiter at the Schenley Hotel in Pittsburgh, at the same time attending the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. He also worked for Haas Brothers Auto in Brackenridge, before moving on to a 20-year career with Gulf Research in Harmarville. In addition to his regular position with Gulf, he also did the body work on the familiar blue & orange race cars that the Gulf race team ran in the Daytona 500, Indy 500 and more! After raising his family and spending much of his adult life in Tarentum, Mike moved to Hobe Sound, Florida in 1981 to work for Pratt & Whitney. There, he worked on the engines manufactured for NASA''s Hubble Telescope and President Ronald Reagan''s "Star Wars" missile defense program. He then retired to Murphy, NC, where he was a member of Ranger Baptist church and former commander of the Murphy VFW. He was a former member of Central Presbyterian in Tarentum. Mike loved working on cars, building model planes (and flying them in Natrona Heights before the plaza was built), woodworking, and spending time in the country, and visiting with his family. He sang with the Tarentum VFW Chorus for several years, and he was a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers. Mike is survived by his wife, Barbara of Murphy, NC, his daughter Rebecca (John) Stillwell of Natrona Heights, grandchildren Jonathan (Lia) Fodi of Rosslyn Farms, and Rachel (Brandon) Bouchard of Shadyside. In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary (John) Grisafo, Pearl (Chris) Catoris, and Helen (Nick) Kratsas, and by his first wife, Lorraine Beck. Services were held in Murphy, NC.Arrangements are being handled by Townson Rose Funeral Home in Murphy NC where a visitation and services were held on Saturday. Services for Mr. Polos will be conducted at Greenwood Memorial Park Mausoleum, Lower Burrell on Wednesday, May 4 at 11AM with Rev. Jeffrey A. Vanderhoff, officiating. Full military honors by Tarentum VFW Post 5758. Local arrangements by Duster Funeral Home, Inc. 347 E 10th Ave, Tarentum, 724-224-1526. VISIT: dusterfuneralhomeinc.com