Mike is survived by his children Michelle, Paul, Catherine, Christopher and Mary; his partner of 21 years, Dr. Rita Alexander; grandsons Michael, Ryan and Benjamin; daughters-in-law Sharon and Annie, and son-in-law Randy; his siblings Thamena, Aliyah (Najeeb), Layla, Amaal, Najla (Matti), Louay (Baha) and Bashar (Zahra); He is also survived by the mother of his children and wife of thirty-six years, Terry. Mike is preceded in death by his mother Harbia, father Mikhail, and his son Michael. He is further survived by a large extended family, dear friends and long-time colleagues.
Mike was born on December 8th, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, in 1936 in Mosul, Iraq, to Mikhail and Harbia Tappouni. As a boy, Mike loved to swim in, and play along the bank of, the Tigris River. The everlasting stories he expressed of these precious memories will forever remain in the hearts of his family.
The second of eight children, he attended boarding school in Baghdad, Iraq, at a school founded by the Jesuit Fathers of Boston College. His desire to go to America was birthed in that crucible of learning, baseball, soccer and the fight song from “old B.C,” conveniently transposed from Boston College to Baghdad College.
His determination led him to immigrate to the United States, via the University of Missouri, where he began to soak up the American experience. He left Mizzou for the University of Florida to be near family, and the rest is orange and blue history. Mike graduated from the University of Florida in 1961 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
At the University of Florida, Mike met and married Terry, and the two had six children. Over the next ten years, they would celebrate the birth of Michelle in Gainesville, then Michael, Paul and Catherine in Jacksonville, and Christopher and Mary in Tampa, where they put down roots, developed a large circle of friends, and formed a successful business, now in its 40th year.
Well-known in his community, Mike’s accomplishments are great. He was proud of the vast number and wide array of projects his firm, Tappouni Mechanical Services, has completed to date, including many high profile and award-winning projects. Some recent examples include Amalie Arena, Florida Polytechnic University, Johns Hopkins Research Hospital, and the Tampa History Museum. He contributed extensively to the design and construction industry with his decades-long involvement in the ABC Gulf Coast Chapter, as well as the ASHRAE West Coast Chapter, where he served as Past President. He was also a long-time supporter of the University of Florida ME Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management. He was always generous in his support of others, offering assistance with challenges in their own lives.
Mike was dedicated to family, above all else. His children will remember him as a proud father that supported their independence, and provided the opportunity for them to pursue their goals.
Mike was a devoted Catholic and a beloved Father. He was a passionate Gator fan and long-time Booster, who rarely missed an opportunity to attend the games and support Gator Athletics. He enjoyed working in his garden, relaxing at home with Rita and their dogs, telling stories, and taking long walks. He loved to be on the golf course, especially at Tampa Palms, where he was an inaugural member.
Mike was most content in the presence of family.
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In consideration of the health of our Community and those Mike loved, a private Requiem Mass for immediate family is scheduled for Saturday, October 2nd. A private burial will follow, with immediate family only.
Extended family, friends, and colleagues are invited to view the service virtually at 1pm, Saturday, October 2nd, via livestream available at www.ctk-tampa.org.
His family will be scheduling a Memorial to honor and celebrate Mike at a future date for extended family, friends and colleagues.
In lieu of flowers, the Tappouni family is requesting donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org
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