George Rudolf Strauch

George Rudolf Strauch

George Rudolf Strauch, 82, died peacefully at home on Thursday, February 1, 2018, in Wyckoff, NJ. Born December 25, 1935, in New York City, the son of Mary Fruechtenicht Strauch and Rudolf Strauch; George was raised in New York City, and Queens, NY. He graduated from Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn in 1957. He worked at Western Electric before becoming a licensed Commercial Real Estate Broker; working at Allan Rosenthal & Associates and then George R. Strauch, Broker, in Hawthorne, NJ.

While living in Queens, George met and married Marilyn Carol Bayer, on April 14, 1957. They moved to Allendale, NJ, in 1958, and raised their four children, George W. Strauch, Patricia L. Strauch, James R. Strauch, and Cynthia J. Strauch. George and Marilyn were residing in Wyckoff, NJ, at the time of his death.

George was a lifelong electrical engineer at heart and spent many happy hours at his workbench tinkering and repairing any manner of item. He worked tirelessly at the homes of any of his children or stepchildren on projects of any level. Most especially, after the purchase of a family home on Long Beach Island, he poured his love and attention to detail into this home on a beloved island.

George was a philanthropist on many levels, faithfully supporting over 35 charities ranging from cancer research, the environment, and animal rescue. He also encouraged and supported all of his grandchildren over their school years, and was quick to hand out a "smiley dollar" to all of the children in his life.

George was predeceased by both parents, and his sister, Carol Ann Strauch. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Agresta Strauch; his son George W. Strauch and Bonnie L. Strauch, with grandchildren Alise, Sara, and William, of Mahwah, NJ; his daughter Patricia L. Strauch and Bruce E. Mandel, of Otis, MA; his son James R. Strauch and Margaret Pyle, with granddaughter Emma, of Allendale, NJ; his daughter Cynthia J. Strauch of Wyckoff, NJ; his brother Otto R. Strauch and Joanne Lisa Strauch of New Castle, VA; and his nephew Mark Strauch and great niece Morgan, of Woodbridge, VA. In addition, George is survived by Marilyn Agresta Strauch's son, Joseph Agresta and Ashley Melander, of Burlington, VT, and George's stepchildren from a marriage to Patricia Smotzer Strauch (deceased May 15, 1981); Gregory M. Smotzer and Leslee Bickford, with grandchildren Kelsey, Kallen, and Patrick, of Glens Falls, NY; Matthew M. Smotzer of Brooklyn, NY; Lynn M. Smotzer Bottrell and John Bottrell, with grandchildren Douglas, Timothy, Kathryn, and Kendall; and Daniel M. Smotzer, with grandchildren Connor and Brenna, of Pennington, NJ. George also leaves behind his faithful canine grandkids, Cocoa and Zoey, who brought great joy to his days and snuggled with him to the very end.

A memorial service to celebrate George's life will be held on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at 11:30am at Calvary Lutheran Church, 165 West Crescent Avenue, Allendale, NJ. A luncheon will follow in the church's Fellowship Hall.

Donations can be made in George's name to: the Music Program at Calvary Lutheran Church, 165 West Crescent Avenue, Allendale, NJ 07401 or to the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, Inc., 2 Shelter Lane, Oakland, NJ 07436. Please send tributes, memories and condolences to vanemburghsneider.com.