Anthony " Tony " Strait

Everyone in Tonys life was captivated by his big, friendly smile and his kind heart. Family was his most cherished thing in life and he found great happiness in their company. Tony had a great work ethic and gentle sense of humor, many friends and countless hobbies. He lent his fun-loving spirit and compassion to everyone around him and in doing so, brightened many lives. In the year 1968, America was in the midst of a radical cultural change motivated by war, political unrest and the Civil Rights Movement. With the affordability of a television, families across the nation bore technicolor witness to these changes. But for Jack Strait Sr. and his wife, Rose (Cassidy), it was family itself that changed in this year with the birth of their son, Anthony, on March 30, 1968, at North Ottawa Hospital in Grand Haven, Michigan. Tony, as he was called, was the youngest of five Strait boys: Terry, Greg, Jack Jr., Glenn and Tony. He was such an easygoing baby, which made life somewhat easier for his mother with five boys, and his feet never touched the ground when his doting big brothers were around. While his mother was a busy homemaker, his father worked at Farr View Dairy in Fruitport. The family was members of St. Marys Catholic Church, where Tony was baptized in 1968, and had his First Communion in 1976. From a young age, Tony developed a very sensitive heart when it came to his family, and it was terribly hard for him when his Grandma Cassidy passed away. When Tony was 10, his family took an unforgettable vacation together out west, sightseeing in Arizona, San Diego and Denver. They also enjoyed going camping on his brother Terrys property in the Upper Peninsula as well as in Pioneer Park. Once school age, Tony attended Edgewood Elementary School, however, because of some learning disabilities and his inability to verbalize well, he went to Marquette School for Special Education in the third grade. He was so happy to return to the Fruitport schools by the fifth grade, where he had many friends he missed. Once in middle school, Tony began playing football, a sport he really enjoyed and felt a part of, and became interested in computers through his classes. A real songbird, he sang in the choir in both the middle and high school, and enjoyed the choir trips to Chicago and Six Flags, of course chaperoned by his mother. Tony continued playing football all through high school and he really excelled in his studies too. So much so, he proudly made the honor roll and was voted Most Improved. Outside of school, Tony had many friends in the neighborhood he liked to run around and ride bikes with or play video games, especially his best friend, Dean Six. After graduating from Fruitport High School in 1987, Tony went to work at Ram Electronics, but kept up with his love for football by assisting his friend Dean in coaching midget football. In 1990, Tony took a job in the Maintenance Department at Meijer and stayed here for 9 years. However, in 1995, he became ill with Esophageal Reflux and lost a lot of weight. As a result of this illness, he could only return to work part-time and since his health never fully recovered, he eventually left his job at Meijer in 2001. Tony then went into foster care for many years but was eventually able to get his own apartment, which he was very happy about. In 2006, a wonderful thing happened to Tony he met the love of his life, Liz Sugin, and they were engaged to be married. He just recently bought her a ring and was proud to put it on her hand, looking forward to the day they would be wed. Sadly, Tony died very unexpectedly on Sunday morning, April 20, 2008, at the age of 40 There wasnt anyone who didnt like Tony he was just a joy to be around and always full of life. His big broad smile and kind and loving heart will be forever remembered by all who knew and loved him. He will be deeply missed. Tony is survived by his parents, Jack (Rose) Strait Sr. of Fruitport; fianc Liz Sugin of Muskegon; 4 brothers: Terry (Laura) Strait of Muskegon, Greg Strait of Otsego, Jack (Lanell) Strait Jr. of Fruitport, Glenn (Connie) Strait of Iowa; several nieces & nephews. Services for Tony will be held on Friday, April 25, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church - Spring Lake with Rev. Leonard Sudlik officiating. Friends and relatives may visit with his family on Thursday, April 24, from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. with a Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Fruitport. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of ones choice. Please visit Tonys memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share memory with his family or sign his online guest book.