The Lord called Michael home, April 28, 2016. Mike was born in Brackenridge, PA to Greek Immigrant parents George and Bess Polychronakis. He had three sisters, Pearl, Mary and Helen, deceased.
Mike was a WWII veteran who proudly served this country in the Pacific Theatre and Japanese Occupation with the 81st Infantry. He was a R&D Researcher with Gulf Oil, studying fuels, and a member of The Gulf Racing Team. While in Florida he joined Prat Whitney Fiber Optics to work on The Star Wars Project and Hubble Telescope. Mike was an active community member in Murphy. He was the oldest Charter Member of Appalachian Crafters, a three term President of Ranger Community Club, Owner of Papu Ceramics, teaching class throughout the area and participating in craft events. He was a life member of the VFW Post 6812, Hayesville, NC, and a member of the American Legion and DAV in Murphy. His hobbies included camping, traveling, auto racing, model trains, and working with his hands.
Mike is survived by his wife, Barbara; a daughter, Becca Stillwell and husband John of Natrona Heights, PA; one step-son, Mark VanVleck of South Lyon, MI; one step-daughter, Cynthia VanVleck of St. Clare Shores, MI; six grandchildren, Jon Fodi and wife Lia, Rachel Fodi Bouchard and husband Brandon of Pittsburg, PA, Angela Pitrowski, Jay Richard Anderson and wife Kim, Genevieve Purcharoni, Derek VanVleck and eight great-grandchildren all of Michigan; one nephew, Nick Kratasas, wife Nina and son Christopher of Pittsburg, PA and one niece, Pattie Moschonas of Middletown, MD, daughter, Anna Legg and son, Louis Moschonas.
Funeral Services will be held at 12 PM, Saturday, April 30, 2016 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy. Rev. Brian Saraney of Calvary Chapel Mountainside and Rev. L.B. Adams will officiate. Military honors will be conducted by the V.F.W. Post #10222, Joe Miller Elkin American Legion Post #96 and D.A.V. Chapter #73 and American Legion Post #532 of Hayesville and V.F.W. Post #6812 Hayesville. Entombment will be held Wednesday May 5, 2016 at Greenwood Memorial Park in Lower Burrell, PA. Rev. Jeffery Vanderhoff will officiate.
The family will receive friends from 11 AM to 12 PM, Saturday, April 30, 2016 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Murphy.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the local VFW Post 6812, PO Box 825, Hayesville, NC 28904.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
You may send tributes to the family at
www.townson-rose.com
Pam Wojcik 
Sheridan Harley Dockery 
