Anthony “Tony” Strines

Date of Death: June 1, 2020

Anthony “Tony“ Strines, age 86, passed away peacefully on June 1 at Ideal Senior Living Center in Endicott NY. He was born on March 28, 1934 in Youngstown, Ohio. He graduated from South High School in 1952, where he met the love of his life, Ethel “Edie” Hallewell. They were married in 1955 and would have celebrated 65 years of marriage this month. He received degrees from Youngstown College and Syracuse University. He worked at General Fireproofing Corporation in Youngstown, later moving to Endwell in 1961 to start his career with IBM. He retired from IBM in 1991. He and Edie loved to travel, especially on cruises, and toured the world together. One of his passions was music, and he was the choir director for Christ the King Church in Endwell for many years. He was the family go-to man when anything needed fixing, living up to the phrase “if Papa can’t fix it, it can’t be fixed.” He was affectionately known as the “punmeister” for his uncanny ability to transform ordinary conversation into puns seemingly out of nowhere. More than anything, he was a loving and supportive father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, enjoying time with his family and sharing his wisdom and guidance.
Anthony was predeceased by his parents Leona and Kazimir Strines, and his brothers Raymond and Eugene. He is survived by his wife Edie, his children Denise Munson (Charles), Tony Strines Jr (Jill) and Brian Strines (Kay); his grandchildren Megan Gottlieb (Gordon III), Caitlyn Burford (Timothy), Abigail Strines, Clara Strines, Tara (Ryan) Esloon, Alexis Gleason and Brett Gleason; and his great grandchildren Rylie, Connor, Ainsley, Shaelynn, Aimee, Ava and Dalton. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Eleanor and Barbara.
A private family service is being held, with interment at Calvary Cemetery. The family will hold a memorial mass at a future date. The family would like to thank the Daisy Court staff at Ideal Senior Living Center for their compassionate care and support while he was a resident there.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mercy House of the Southern Tier, 212 North McKinley Avenue, Endicott NY.

Allen Memorial

Light a candle Light a candle

Flowers & Gifts

Arrangements starting at $35

Charity Donations

Make a Memorial Donation

See Condolences

Jan. 2, 2022 I am grieved to learn of the passing of my beloved choir director and friend so long after the fact. This was a man who threw absolutely everything he was and everything he had into making music for God. He brought out the best in people's voices and spirits, brought people closer together in so very many ways. Yesterday I was thinking about all the really special songs he (and the choir) sung, back when I was still a kid and much too young to join the choir. At Christmastime or during the Holy Week services, I would watch and listen,spellbound, as he gestured majestically to the choir and their voices would soar to the heavens as he wove the grandest spectacular drama of our Savior's living and dying. One of my favorite songs was "And This Is Love", which talks about laying down one's life for one's friends. Well, Tony lived a very long life for His friends...Tony sang for baptisms, First Communions and First Penances, weddings and confirmations, funerals and every weekend. for mass at Christ the King church. Even when one of his very best friends died (Fred Picciano) Tony was up on that altar, singing a song I will never forget, with the words " Come home Fred, come home.” At that point he was overcome with anguish and tears choked his voice, and a great many in the congregation felt able to weep freely for a man so many of us loved. Tony Strobes was present for all my family's important ceremonies/ celebrations, especially my own wedding and my mother's funeral. I never doubted the existence of God. Because Tony and the choir and organist Rosemary Myers sang it, I knew it absolutely had to be true! I like to think that when Tony was dying, he could probably hear the heavenly choirs of angels just waiting for him to arrive. And the song that they were singing? 'Come home, Tony, come home.' To Tony's beloved wife Edie and the rest of his family, I wish to thank you for sharing your husband, father, and grandfather with all of us for so very many years. You are in our prayers and I wish I could have been down there for the funeral (we live in Buffalo). Please know how much I love you, miss you and wish how much we lived closer together so I could have told you such things in person.

Dear Edie, we are so saddened to read of the passing of Tony. May God help you and your family in your sorrow. When we see you again we will give you a big hug . Rest In Peace Tony. With love Rose and Ted.

Thinking of you and your family. Will keep you in prayer til we can visit. Jerry and Bea

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.