On behalf of the OPCEA Board I am very sad to announce the passing of Michele (Michael/Mike) Albanese on Sunday January 22nd at the still young age of 58. He leaves behind his beloved wife Helma and children Massimo, Adriano and Isabella, his mother Maria and his sister Laura.
Michele graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Florida in 1987.
His family, originally from Abruzzo Italy, emigrated to Canada and Michele first worked for an OPCEA member company Metcon. He participated in OPCEA activities on behalf of Metcon and that is how I first met him. He was very impressive individual, bright, serious, very polite and well-mannered and very knowledgeable.
He passed the exams and became a registered Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario.
Mike stuck out on his own when he founded H2FLOW Equipment in 1992. It was while starting his company he volunteered to serve on the OPCEA board and in 1999 he served as President. In 2006 Michael also started H2FLOW Tanks and Systems, a company specializing in liquid storage solutions.
Michael served on a number of committees of the WEAO representing OPCEA including the Special Events Committee, the Conference Committee and the Seminar Committee. .
His volunteering also included serving as Vice President of the York South Weston Ontario Liberal Association, Trojan Technologies Rep Council Member, Eimco Water Technologies Rep Council Member, the Professional Engineers Ontario – Dufferin Chapter Executive and Newsletter Editor, and as an Engineering Mentor with Skills for Change training for newly arrived foreign engineers.
For his significant contribution to the WEAO Michael was inducted in the 5S Society in 2008.
Although a competitor he was a good friend, as he was to many others in the industry and his presence will be sorely missed.
Brian Gage
OPCEA past President