Mr. Theodore Orest Struk

Ted Struk ,83, of Pittsburgh passed away on Friday, November 6, 2015. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 51 years, Mary Glading Struk. Ted will be desperately missed by his daughter, Lisa Tourek, her husband Bob, his son Randy, wife Kim, and his 4 grandsons, R.T. Tourek, Chris Tourek, Michael Struk and Teddy Struk. He also will be missed by his brother, Len Struk, whom Ted loved and supported through Len’s whole life. Ted led an amazing life. He was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania as the first child of Ukrainian immigrants, Pauline and John Struk. Ted was the first in his family to graduate from high school, after which he was awarded a scholarship to Penn State University. At Penn State, Ted achieved the academic honor of being inducted into Phi Kappa Phi. He met his wife Mary at Penn State, and both Ted and Mary were “Penn State Proud” for the rest of their lives. Upon graduation from Penn State, Ted was awarded a full academic scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Ted supported himself while at Penn by working as a janitor at night, and attending classes during the day. Upon graduation from Penn, Ted accepted a position as a law clerk for The Honorable Joseph Wilson on the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, before joining the firm of Dickie, McCamey and Chilcote as its 13th lawyer. With Ted’s help and trial practice, the firm grew from 13 lawyers to currently over 150 lawyers in over 10 different cities. Ted was professionally most proud of his long and successful career as a trial lawyer. His professional excellence and integrity earned him election into the American College of Trial Lawyers, the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, and the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County. In addition, Ted was devoted to Family House, which provides a “home away from home” for patients and their families who are seeking treatment in Pittsburgh area hospitals. Ted served on the Board of Trustees of Family House, and as Chairman of the Board from 1991 to 1994. Ted’s love for life showed its passion in his deep love for his family, his friends, and the firm that gave a small town boy from Sharon the opportunity to live a life his parents could never have dreamed of. Ted was charming, funny, strong willed, and an imposing adversary in trial. He will be missed by all who had the fortune to call him a friend. Ted’s children would like to thank the doctors, and nurses who provided him with outstanding care in these last stages of his life (particularly Dr. Tim Campbell and Dr. Mark Socinski, and Amy Bickar), and also to devoted friends such as Becky Pappas and Mary Ann Stefko and her family. Family and friends will be received to celebrate Ted’s life Wednesday 7-9 PM and Thursday 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Simons Funeral Home, Inc. 7720 Perry Highway www.simonsfuneralhome.com. A Funeral Service will be held Friday 10 AM at Christ Episcopal Church 5910 Babcock Blvd. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ted’s memory may be made to Family House, 5001 Baum Boulevard, Suite 545, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Mr. Theodore Orest Struk

August 21, 1932 - November 6, 2015