Commonwealth Club mourns
the loss of John Strenz

MONTCLAIR, N.J., Nov. 30, 2004--A funeral Mass for John D. Strenz of Montclair will be offered at 11 a.m. Thursday in St. Cassian R.C. Church, 187 Bellevue Ave., Upper Montclair. A former self-employed contractor, John died Monday at home following a courageous battle with brain cancer. He was 46.

Born on June 11, 1958, in Montclair, John David Strenz was the son of Margaret (Peg) and David A. Strenz, a prominent Upper Montclair realtor for more than 25 years. Except during his 30s, when he lived in East Stroudsburg, Pa., John spent most of his life in Montclair. In recent years, he was a stay-at-home father to his three young daughters, Amanda, Savannah and Cooper.

He attended St. Cassian's School and graduated from Mt. Hebron School. A member of Montclair High School's class of 1976, he earned an associate's degree in aeronautical technology from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston and, in 1983, a bachelor's degree in aviation administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla.

An avid pilot who once owned a plane, he was thrilled when his sisters treated him to a flight in September--the first time in more than five years he had been in the air. With an instructor at his side, he piloted a Piper Warrior, the same type of aircraft he had owned and trained on earlier at Embry-Riddle.

A self-taught switch-hitter, he lettered in baseball four straight years at Montclair High, where he was as a pitcher and right-fielder. In his first appearance as a pitcher in a Montclair Junior Baseball League game, he uncorked a perfect game, striking out 17 of 18 batters. Maybe because his career at the high school overlapped Dale Berra's, he assimilated some of that sage family's wit and wisdom.

'I'm dyin'. But it's not killin' me'

How else could you explain the conversation he had with a friend in September that went like this: "Well, Mac, looks like I'm a short timer on this planet," John said. "That sucks. How do you feel?" Mac asked."Well it's not the worst. I mean it is the worst. I'm dyin'. But it's not killin' me." Amid the irony, the two had a good laugh.

Twenty years ago last Labor Day weekend, he would meet his future wife, Christian Dubuque, at a mutual friend's party in Montclair. "We were playing quarters," John said with a smile, remembering the drinking game that involved bouncing coins into a glass of beer. "We both won." And on May 18, 1991, Christian and John were married at the chapel at East Stroudsburg Airport.

For close to 20 years, John was a self-employed contractor operating JDS Construction. Sheet-rocking, taping and painting, as well as kitchen and bathroom remodeling, were the core of his work. His handy friends considered John among the handiest of them all, and accordingly he was a frequent source of advice and counsel.

Not too long ago, a friend approached John for help installing a bay window above the kitchen sink. "He was the only guy I could think of with confidence about getting that beast in," his pal recalled. "John used to have the roughest hands of anyone I ever met."

They may have softened a little in the years since he decided to trade in his building skills for home-making. But his firm grip remained a trademark. On some occasions, his fellow Emu bowling teammates at the Commonwealth Club were inclined to be wary after John or they "marked"--threw a strike or spare. High-fives from John could smart if his exuberance surpassed a teammate's preparedness.

An admirer of Ansel Adams, John picked up photography about four years ago, well after the digital dawn. Yet he remained true to form, inquisitive and devoted to fundamentals. He acquired an enlarger, learned to develop film and printed his own images. Just what you'd expect from a guy who counted among his favorites Jim Crocce, James Taylor, Kathy Mattea, Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez. Not too long ago he admitted the obvious: "I'm a softy for love songs."

John was a member of the Commonwealth Club for five years and was always among the Club's highest-average bowlers. At the Club's annual golf outing and unofficial championship two years ago, he captured prizes for both long drive and closest to the pin. He first started playing golf at age 10, with his dad, whom he called "Pop" and many knew as "Big Dave," at Goldman's, the erstwhile little nine-hole course on Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange.

One thing John never said during his ordeal: 'Why me?'

Big guy...soft heart...never heard anyone say a bad word about him--that's the sort of thing you'd hear people say about John. His friends and family members say there's one thing John never said during his ordeal: "Why me?" In September, a friend visiting John commented about the look of hope he saw in John's eyes. "The hope of Eternal Life," John added, quickly completing the sentence.

In September, a friend timidly asked him how he'd like to be remembered. John replied: "Great dad, great husband. Darn good bowler, pitcher and pilot. A little cocky, a little swagger. Started every all-star baseball game in town."

One day earlier this fall, John wasn't able to make a meeting of prospective soccer coach parents. He had coached one of his daughters for several years in a Montclair town league. A friend and neighbor who attended that meeting visited John soon thereafter and reported that, hands-down, John was the most requested coach. A soft touch warmed those strong hands.

In addition to his wife, Christian Dubuque-Strenz, and mother, Margaret, he is survived by three daughters, Amanda, Savannah and Cooper; a brother, Robert; six sisters, Patricia, Ms. Virginia Ash, Ms. Andrea Sgroi, Mary Ellen, Ms. Marjorie Iacangelo and Rosemary; nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements are by the Hugh M. Moriarty Funeral Home, 76 Park St., Montclair.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the John Strenz Memorial Trust. For further information about contributing to the trust, contact Mary Deatherage of Smith Barney at 973-890-3015.

After the memorial service, friends, family and Club members are invited to the Commonwealth Club, 26 Northview Ave., Upper Montclair, to celebrate John's life.