Obituary of Michael P. Stronz

Michael Patrick Stronz, 83, of Falconer, New York, died on Monday evening November 3, 2014, following a prolonged illness. Helen (Strebeck) Stronz, his lifelong love and best friend of 59 years, survives him. They were married February 5, 1955. Born in Wadsworth, OH on June 30, 1931, Mike was the son of Clarence Eugene Stronz and Nora Stronz Alexander. Following the death of his father, Mike was raised by his mother along with five other siblings including Richard (Dick) Stronz, John (Jack) Stronz, Mary Jane (Stronz) Halliwell, and Jean Ann (Stronz) Allan all of whom predeceased him. James (Jim) Stronz, Mike's youngest brother, lives in Colorado. Mike was the patriarch of a large family including eight children: Sheila Stronz Hood (Doug) of New Philadelphia, Ohio; Michelle Stronz (Eric Schaefer) of Glastonbury, Connecticut; Stephanie Stronz Kowalczyk (Greg) of Orchard Park, New York; Terry Stronz (Katie) of Jamestown, New York; Kevin Stronz (Kristine) of Jamestown, New York; Tim Stronz who predeceased him in 2001; Mary Stronz Campion (Chris) of Houston, Texas; and Nora Stronz Schrantz (Jacob) of Jamestown, NY. In addition to his children, Mike had 13 grandchildren, Jessica Gaumer, Dustin Schaefer, Dylan Corbet Schaefer, Sara Gustafson, Daniel Gustafson, Lindsay Stronz, Meaghan Stronz, Andrew Patrick Stronz, Rachel Deppas Anderson, Ryan Deppas, Greg Deppas, Jason Michael Stronz, Eric Stronz and six great grandchildren, Casey and Alyssa Naftzger, Lyla and Evie Stronz, Cora Stronz and Raegan Rose Anderson. Mike was honorably discharged from the US Marine Corps as a sergeant, where he served for four years and played the trumpet in the Marine Corps Band. He played in the Rose Bowl twice and the Orange Bowl once as a member of the Marine Corp Band. After completing his degree in journalism at Ohio University in Athens, OH; Mike began his career at the Canton Repository as a reporter. Later, he joined the BF Goodrich Company in Akron, OH where he enjoyed a long career in marketing and public relations. Mike loved music of all kinds, but especially the jazz of the 1950's and 1960's. While working full-time, Mike also played his trumpet at Meyers Lake in Ohio several evenings a week, driving to and from his performances in his red MG convertible. His work in the tire industry and his joy as a musician were particularly important in building a lifelong network of cherished friends and renowned troublemakers. In his mid 40's and with six children in tow, Mike moved his family to his boyhood vacation home of Chautauqua County. He launched and led Stronz Tire Company in 1976, serving commercial and retail tire customers across three counties and achieving his longtime dream of owning a business. Mike was an enduring presence in the community, serving on many boards and commissions including as a member of the Jamestown Area Regional Transit System and the Downtown Jamestown Development Corp. Mike served as a longtime secretary of the Rotary Club, as a board member of the YMCA, and many other non-profit groups including the Celtics Club. In addition, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a lay minister at SS. Peter & Paul Church. Mike was named a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International in both 1990 and 2010. These honors were bestowed by the Rotary Club in recognition of his high professional and personal standards as set forth by Paul Harris. After closing Stronz Tire Company, Mike returned to his journalism roots, working for the Post-Journal and leading the Newspaper in Education (NIE) program. It was in the NIE network that Mike deepened his connections to educators and students, offering news and current events curriculum throughout schools in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus County. A devoted conversationalist, Mike had many friends across the Southern Tier, Ohio and around the US. He was blessed with a great memory for names and actively sought connections with people from all walks of life. The family thanks the staff and volunteers of Heritage Park for their many kindnesses to Mike. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Friday in Holy Apostles Parish at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church. The Rev. Dennis W. Mende, pastor will be celebrant. Burial will be in the Holy Cross Cemetery. Mike's friends and family can celebrate his life and legacy at calling hours. Friends will be received from 4-7 p.m. Thursday in the Lind Funeral Home where a Christian Wake Service will be led at 3:45 p.m. Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Mike's life may be made to the Nora Stronz Alexander Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring St. Jamestown, NY 14701, Holy Apostles Parish, 508 Cherry St. Jamestown, NY 14701 or to a charity of your choice. You may light a candle in remembrance of Mike at www.lindfuneralhome.com.