Mr. Raymond J. Stralko's Obituary
Raymond Joseph Stralko was born Aug. 29, 1922 in Brooklyn, NY to Polish immigrants, John and Josephine Stralko. The family moved to Grand Rapids, MI, in 1925. Ray was the only son. He had three sisters, Jane (Henry) Schmidt, who preceded him in death, Virginia (Roman) Baranowski, and Margaret (Neil) Joske all of Grand Rapids.
Ray developed an interest in music in boyhood. At age 11, he convinced his parents to purchase an alto saxophone to join in the school band. Josephine, scraped money together taking in laundry. John, saved a few cents a week from his foundry job. They purchased a used horn for $50.00, at .50 weekly. With each note, Ray's passion and talent grew and his lifelong love affair with music began.
As a junior at Grand Rapids Catholic Central, age 16, he joined the Musicians Union. While playing at a high school pep rally, he was called to the gym door. Local musicians asked him to play in a dance band. He bought a tux and began playing professionally five nights a week in area nightclubs. He maintained an A / B average, until he graduated in 1940.
After graduation, Ray traveled and performed two years with Fran Winegar, Kurt Bunting, and Bob Kettner Big Bands throughout Michigan and Ohio.
In 1942, he joined the University of Michigan Performing Band. His musical talents were gaining notoriety. He received an audition call and was hired by Herb Miller (Glenn's brother) in South Dakota. Ray's music career was well on its way. He traveled the country by bus and train performing at Jazz clubs. He received notification he was in line for WWII draft. Rather than getting drafted, Ray enlisted in the United States Navy, hoping to land a job he liked.
Ray became a Musician First Class serving in the Navy. His music brought a brief respite from war entertaining officers and troops from San Diego to the Aleutian Islands where he was stationed. He directed the "Harbor Play Boys Aleutian Dance Band" and made USO trips accompanying Errol Flynn and Olivia DeHaviland, boosting moral of homesick sailors. Ray also traveled on YP (Yippee) barges to remote naval outposts to cheer the troops.
On leave from service, Ray married his beautiful vivacious sweetheart "Vic" who was eagerly awaiting his return. She had fallen hard for the soft spoken, charming, and witty fellow. The former Marie Victoria DeJohn, from Newaygo, exchanged vows with Raymond, August 26, 1944 at St. Isidore's Catholic Church in Grand Rapids, MI. The couple moved to military housing in San Diego, CA.
Ray was honorably discharged in 1945. The couple moved to Newaygo and lived with Marie's parents briefly until Ray found work clerking at the Michigan State Liquor Control Commission in Muskegon. He quickly moved up the ranks and was an exemplary employee for 43 years. He was known for his friendly gentle nature, genuine firm handshake, and dapper dress. He carried these traits all through his life. In 1967, he became District Director, overseeing the agencies operation and responsibility for liquor sales in the entire midsection of the eastern Lake Michigan shore. He retired in 1986, but remained active with SERA, State Employee Retirement Association.
While employed by the state, Ray never gave up his first love, music. It was more than just a hobby. It was his life's blood. He was a well-known and respected mainstay in the local music scene. He played saxophone and clarinet in the Frank Lockage, Charlie Bird, Larry Bird, and Al Lincoln orchestras. He is mostly known for his contributions to the Bob Warnaar Big Band, not only for his musical talents, but for his arrangements and direction. Ray was a part of the Warnaar Band for twenty plus years. They were a staple at the Grand Haven Waterfront and Muskegon's McGraft Park summer concert series.
Ray was a loving dad and devoted family man. While giving up touring with better known bands, Ray had opportunities playing for celebrities such as Count Basie, Red Skelton, and Bob Hope. He was always in demand for his musical abilities. Ray was a former member of the Lieutenant Wilbur L. Boyer VFW Post 3195 and traveled with their marching parade band.
Besides composing, arranging, directing and performing music, Ray repaired all types of horns and taught private saxophone and clarinet lessons. Several of his students won or placed in state competitions.
Ray was a go to kind of guy. He was reliable, loyal, and committed. These attributes and his impeccable character led him to be elected as Vice President (6 years) and President (7 years) of Muskegon Local 225 Musicians Union until it disbanded. He represented the unions interests at nationally held conventions. He was a lifetime member of the Grand Rapids Musicians Union.
Up until his death, Ray "practiced" his sax weekly for his personal enjoyment. A stroke in 2001, limited the time he could physically perform. But, whenever the opportunity presented itself, he was quick to play a gig and jam with his musician friends. His love and nostalgia for the old standards from the 1930's and 1940's lingered in his heart. He patterned his style after the greats of the time. But, he had a style all his own that was admired and emulated by others. He was still performing and wowing at the Book Nook in Montague, with the Oak Daniels First Edition Jazz Quartet.
Ray was a man of deep seeded faith. He was a longtime parishioner of St. Michael's / St. Francis Church. In his younger years, he served as an usher. He wasn't able to attend mass as often as he liked, but enjoyed weekly home communion and prayer visits.
Learning a new word a day was Ray's hobby for years. He had a tremendous vocabulary that made him a formidable Scrabble player and proficient puzzle solver. He liked jokes, but made them funnier because he inevitably bungled the punchline. He enjoyed a good Manhattan, a good meal, and a good party. Ray loved desserts. Frosty Oasis Turtle Pecan Sundaes and Ryke's Napoleons were his favorites. Ray was a great improvising cook. His homemade golabki and pies will be missed. He enjoyed tinkering around fixing electronics, plumbing, and cars, mostly because he valued a dollar.
Ray and Marie were married for 55 years, having 4 children. Their first-born son Raymie, died shortly after birth. Marie preceded Raymond in death in 1999.
Ray leaves behind his children, Jaclyn (Tom) Duca of Muskegon, Marce Jo (David) Toll of Florida, Joel (Susan) Stralko of Florida; 7 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren, and another on the way. One granddaughter preceded him in death in 1999.
In addition to his immediate family, Ray leaves his late life companion of 17 years, Yvonne Szot. His "adopted" family include Jim and Mudgi (Szot) Cavender, John and Michelle (Leonard) Szot, their extended families of 4 children and 8 grandchildren.
Raymond was deeply loved, greatly respected, and highly admired as a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, companion, and friend. He leaves a legacy of "something deep that speaks within your heart and soul" his personal reference to music. He will be profoundly missed by all who were blessed to know and love him.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, August 12, at 11:00 AM at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 1716 Sixth St. Visitation will be held at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St., (231) 798-1100 from 6-8 PM Friday, August 11. You may visit the family’s online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com. Contributions in memory of Mr. Stralko may be made to Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.
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