Anthony R. Strazza

Anthony Ralph Strazza, age 55, of Wilmington, Delaware entered heavenly rest at his home on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.  

Anthony was born in Brooklyn, New York on December 4, 1967, to Patricia and Ralph Strazza.    

Anthony attended James Madison High School in Brooklyn and received his GED at Kingsborough Community College.  He loved the Yankees and Giants teams, and enjoyed free hand art drawing, cooking, Pepsi cola, gummy bears and Doritos.   He was the jokester of the family and an animated storyteller.  He loved Coppola and Scorsese movies and enjoyed talking about the many colorful movie characters and even laughingly created character names for himself, wife and her sisters.  His brother describes Anthony as the only person who could make him laugh to the point of fainting.  He was a natural at making people feel comfortable and loved.  Anthony maintained that personal magnetism throughout his life and anyone who met him, was in his circle, and in his family can attest to that.

After high school, Anthony managed his family-owned deli, Manhattan Beach Superette for 15 years.  When his parents relocated to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, he followed and continued a career in deli food management with Giant Food.  He also worked for a short time at Lancaster General Hospital as a patient care host, where his warm and willing personality was a comfort to many. After a relocation to Arizona, he worked at the warehouse of the Chris Petrone Deli Provisions in Chandler and was later promoted to Vision Trainer for Boar’s Head.  On return to Lancaster, Anthony co managed 2 Tonys deli and resumed work with Giant Food until his move to Wilmington.

A casual meeting with Michelle Rostant at Montague Bagels in Brooklyn led to a lifetime connection.  Anthony and Michelle were married in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on August 21, 2000.  Married for almost 23 years theirs was a marriage of love, patience, commitment, and devotion.  They were best friends, travel companions and devoted pet parents of their cats Milo and Sylvester.

Anthony is survived by his wife,  Michelle Rostant-Strazza;  daughter, Briana Strazza of Staten Island, NY;  his siblings, Patricia (Michael) Sigman of Landisville, PA., Theresa (Anthony) Selkirk of Lancaster, PA., Helen (Andrew) Fogle of Lancaster, PA., Ralph (Jessica) Strazza, Lancaster, PA;  sisters in law, Latrelle Rostant of Queens, NY, and Carlene (Larry) Freeman of Bowie, Maryland.  He leaves behind 3 nephews, 5 nieces and 1 nephew-in -law, a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins in New York, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Florida, as well as friends in Delaware and Trinidad, West Indies.

Anthony was predeceased by his parents, Ralph N. Strazza (Jan 21, 2022) and Patricia M. Strazza (Jan 30, 2020); and his youngest brother, James Strazza (July 5, 2003).

Anthony faced many losses, and trials in life, however he grew in his devotion to the Lord and renewed his faith with his wife at St Helena Roman Catholic Church.  He loved his family, prayed daily for them and continuously spoke of his love for God.  He desired family unity and relinquished that desire to God, which left him with peace through God’s promise as written in Philippians 4: 6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Anthony leaves a legacy of love, laughter, kindheartedness, respect, forgiveness and perseverance.  He will be very deeply missed by his family and friends.

A Visitation will be held  Monday March 27, from 10am to 11am at St Helena Roman Catholic Church, 602 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, Delaware 19809, where a Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11am.   Repast following the mass at the church’s Masci Hall at the same address.  Burial will be private.

To offer condolences, please visit:
Gebhartfuneralhomes.com
302.798.7726

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