Uncle Joe was one of the kindest and caring men I ever knew. He and Aunt Lila meant so much to me and it's almost impossible to believe they are now both gone. But with the Lord, all things work for good. (Romans 8:28). I have now discovered new family in Linda, Cookie and Susan. Goodbye, Uncle Joe. I will miss you always and I will always love you and Lila. 

Love, A.J. (Alex), Cindy and Joshua

Uncle Joe brought a smile to everyone around him!  When visiting him & Aunt Lila in Florida, I remember them being so sweet to us crazy kids & embraced our visit as if it were a sweet interruption of their day.  I specifically remember when we were all sitting around their coffee table with root beer barrel candies as the centerpiece & he served all of his guests cans of soda.  He asked Aunt Lila if she would like something from the kitchen.  His devotion to her, his look of love for his wife & the excitement he had to serve her made an impact on me.  I knew that this man that I was blessed to call Uncle Joe was someone special.  Thank you, Uncle Joe, for teaching us what it is like to serve with a smile & engage life to the fullest.

Coming up with words good enough to honor my dear brother, Joe, is a tough task for this 88 year old "big sister".  From childhood until the day he passed away, Joe was the kindest, most honorable gentle man I've ever known.  Even as kids, when he defended me from a young boy who dared to slap his sister, he did it with grace and wisdom (which made more of an impression than a punch in the gut would have done!).  He was trustworthy and righteous, but never boastful.  I am so proud and grateful to have had him in my life for 87 wonderful years.  I will miss him terribly, but my love and respect for him will live forever.

Joe was a friend of mine for many years.  Lost touch getting old I guess. We used to scuba dive together up  at the old quarry in Wayne. We had a lot of laughs.  So sorry to hear
of his passing. Thank you  Mr. Parsak  for calling me.
                                          Ray Jorbel


As Joe's kid sister, Minnie (of 84 yrs.), I can't seem to find words that are strong enough, yet gentle enough, to express all the love that I feel, and have always felt, for my Big Brother Joetall in stature and goodness having and always showing respect and kindness for others.  Now, with our Lord foreveryet, still in my heart and on my mind, along with so many cherished memories.

Uncle Joe was such a kind and generous man.  Even when our family stopped in for a short last minute visit, he had special gifts for our children.  He even gave Brendan a harmonica from his own collection.  We love you, Uncle Joe!

I was so happy to see Joe at the family reunion last year.  I had talked to him several times on the phone over the years, and he was so excited to come to the reunion and not only see his extended family but the whole "Valenta" family was there and he couldn't be happier. I had just looked at 2014 Family Reunion pictures and thought, wow what a great family picture. The Strauch "kids" are all together and looking so happy.  Rest now and have a great family reunion in Heaven.

My Great Uncle Joe was a very sweet, fun man. Whenever we would visit, he was always kind and loved to interact with us. My favorite memory was when he and Aunt Lila made a surprise visit to our home in PA. Such a sweet man who I hope to see again when we get to Heaven.

From my earliest memory of my Uncle Joe, all the way through to the last, he was always one of the few men that I've known in my life who consistently made me feel completely at ease, accepted, loved, never judged.  It's unfortunate that he had no children of his own. He was so humble, he probably had no idea what an incredible father he would have made.  I'm sure that I will reference his kindness often in the raising of my beautiful daughter, a more fitting tribute for such a man I could not imagine.
Forever in my heart,
Nephew Steven

AFTER SEEING THE PICTURE OF UNCLE JOE AND STEVE IT REMINDED ME OF SOMETHING HE ONCE SAID.  (I THINK IT MAY HAVE BEEN DURING THE CRUISE)?  IT WAS ABOUT THE BEARD THAT HE GREW.  ONE OF THE WOMEN THAT KNEW HIM IN FLORIDA EXPRESSED DISLIKE FOR IT.  ONE DAY SHE CAME RIGHT OUT AND SAID:  "I DON'T LIKE THAT BEARD ON YOU" 
HIS REPLY WAS: "I DON'T THINK I WOULD LIKE IT ON YOU EITHER"!  
JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HIS NEVER ENDING, QUICK WITTED HUMOR.
I WILL MISS YOU UNCLE JOE!

I remember "uncle Joe" from the family picnics in Wayne.  He was a kind gentle man with the warmest of smiles.  Adored by his nieces and nephews and respected by all.  My sincere sympathy to the family.

I remember my Uncle Joe's warm smile & sweet laughter.  I always enjoyed his visits and he always made me feel loved.  I believe he is with Jesus now and I will see him again in heaven!

I will always remember Uncle Joe as such a kind, honest, sweet man who was truly honored to have served our country.  Oh, and he was never without a piece of gum!

We will miss Uncle Joe's humorous wit.  He was a trooper right to the end.  Grateful that he didn't seem to have any pain.  It was important to him that his final resting place is next to his beloved Lila at Sea Pines Memorial Gardens in Edgewater.

Joe was born in Stiles, PA to Joseph and Hermina Strauch.  He was raised in Paterson, graduated from Passaic County Tech, drafted into the Army in 1944, serving in Guam during WWII.  After the war he secured a job as a telephone exchange equipment installer with Western Electric working 35 years until retirement at age 55. 
Joe met his wife, Lila (Violet Arienta) at the Rainbow Inn dance hall in Wayne NJ.  They married in 1948 and lived in NJ until purchasing a winter home in Hacienda del Rio Resort in Edgewood, FL in 1992, moving permanently in 1996.  He enjoyed activities such as scuba diving, making jewelry, road trips around America, cruising, shrimping, and playing pool.  They had no children but had two beloved dogs, both boxers.  Joe cared for his bedridden wife before she passed in 2007. He lived alone until August when he began transitioning back to NJ after a hospital stay to be with family.
Joe is survived by 2 sisters, Agnes Valenta of Whiting NJ, and Hermina Strauch of Wayne, NJ, and a full house of 3 nieces and 2 nephews and their families.  Linda Parzek of Wayne NJ, Diane Palinski of Sacramento, Susan Weber of Tuckerton, NJ, John Valenta of Sterling Forest, NY, and Steven Valenta of Walden, NY

OBITUARY

Joseph Strauch

January 31, 1928 – September 25, 2015

Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home

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