Michael Thomas Troje

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Troje, Michael Thomas Age 70, born Aug 8, 1946, died April 24, 2017. Mike graduated from Cretin, St. Thomas, and the UM School of Social Work. He became a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War and a community organizer at the Northside Settlement Services. At the Ramsey Co. Mental Health Center he was a community organizer, program director, and psychotherapist. He was an adjunct professor at St. Catherine's and a psychiatric social worker at Hennepin Co. Medical Center. He went on to work for the American Refugee Committee in Thailand helping refugees, followed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees -- first in Hong Kong, then in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba -- as a Resettlement Officer and as Chief of the Unaccompanied Minors program. Mike continued his passion for service with the US State Department, serving in Port Au Prince, Dublin, Valetta, Baghdad, and Belfast. In many of his positions Mike developed programs that continue to greatly impact the lives of countless people. Mike was a man who spoke truth to power and never accepted "no" as an answer in his fight for justice. His dedication to helping others -- particularly children-- was unstoppable and was equaled only by the devotion he had to his family. His legacy of love, service, and passion is one that will live on in the lives of his children and grandchildren. Mike was preceded in death by his parents and one nephew and is survived by wife, Margy; daughter, Heather; son-in-law, Eric Turner; grandchildren, Liam, Aisleen, Riley; daughter, Tiffany Collis (John Veech); grandchildren, Basil, Phoenix, and Owen; brother, Bernie (Pam); sisters, Janet Troje (Mitch Taylor), Teresa Lenard (Greg), Mary Kay Malerich (Tom), and Carol Brinkman (Al). Mike passed away peacefully at home from metastatic pancreatic cancer, surrounded by his wife and daughters. You are a invited to visit Mike's Facebook page (Michael Troje) and share your thoughts and memories. Memorials are preferred to Pathways A Healing Center. 3115 Hennepin Ave S. Minneapolis, MN 55408. (612) 822-9061. A celebration of Mike's life will be held on Saturday April 29 with visitation beginning at 1, and service at 2, at: Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996 West 50th St. & Hwy 100

Published on April 26, 2017