Obituary - Tony Stroh

Mr. Anthony Henry (Tony) Stroh, beloved husband of Elaine, passed away peacefully at the St. Joseph’s Home Carmel Hospice on Sunday, February 16, 2014, at the age of 78 years. Along with Elaine, left to cherish Tony’s memory are his children and their families:  Tim (Amrita) - daughter, Ashley; Andy (Nicole) - children, Kyla and Madison;  Mike (Tina) - children, Taylor, Stephanie and Kayla;  Melisa (Eric) - children, Ryan and Kellan;  Krista (Curtis) - children, Clint and Lyndon. He is also survived by his sister, Claire St. Amand of St. Catherine’s, ON.;  sister-in-law, Hazel Stroh; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins as well as his very special family pets including cats - Squeak, Paddy and Puff and a bunny, Copper. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Lena Stroh; brother, Joe Stroh;  brother-in-law, Don St. Amand;  parents-in-law, Norm and Phyllis Nowicki and brother-in-law, Cliff Nowicki.  Anthony Henry Stroh was born to John and Lena Stroh at the family farm near Mendham, SK., on May 11, 1935.  Shortly after grade 12, Tony started a successful career with C.P. Rail, a job he worked hard at through to his retirement on September 1, 1990.  On August 18, 1962, he married Elaine Nowicki at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  He was a devout Catholic and remained a faithful member of the church throughout the years.  Tony introduced the Stroh tradition of Easter egg fights to Elaine first and then the kids as they came of age.  He enjoyed making Elaine and the kids eat any eggs they broke.  However, when the grandkids came along, the rules changed and Grandpa ate all the eggs!  Tony was a morning person - he started each day at 4:30 a.m. and slept every afternoon, a schedule that his favorite cat, Squeak, quite enjoyed.  When it came to housework, he didn’t procrastinate.  If Tony was going to vacuum, it was going to be done first thing in the morning, much to the dismay of those trying to sleep.  Tony was always very involved in sports, especially baseball, slowpitch and curling.  He was a fixture at most bonspiels as he could be found at the rink keeping track of each draw.  He liked having coffee each morning with the gang at the mall and quite enjoyed being the youngster offering to run for refills whenever the cups were low.  Vigil Prayers will be recited at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 - 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Thursday, February 20, 2014, at 7:00 p.m.  The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, 238 - 2 Avenue N.E., Medicine Hat on Friday, February 21, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. with the Very Reverend Father Long Vu celebrant.  Private Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery.  If friends so desire, memorial tributes in memory of Tony may be made to the Medicine Hat SPCA, 55 Southwest Drive S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 8E8 or to the St. Joseph’s Home Carmel Hospice, 156 - 3 Street N.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 5M1