Raymond D. Strakosch, a longtime Newburgh resident, passed away peacefully in the presence of family on Friday, September 4, 2020. He was 89.
The son of the late Clarence and Mary E. (Higgins) Strakosch, Ray was born on November 27, 1930 in New York, NY.
Ray spent his early summer days at Beaver Dam Lake and winters in Jackson Heights, Queens. He graduated from Fordham University before serving his country proudly in the US Army during the Korean War, attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant and, later, participating in Hudson Valley Honor Flight Mission 11. He earned an MBA from Columbia University and then worked in advertising in New York, Philadelphia, and Bridgeport. He founded Raymond D. Strakosch, Inc. in Norwalk, CT and, eventually, The Reflectory, where he sold safety reflectors internationally and operated a storefront on Broadway in Newburgh where he served the community for more than thirty years by providing office services. He was a long-time member of the Calvary Presbyterian Church where he served as a Trustee for many years. He was also one of the founding members on the Board of Project L.I.F.E., which serves local homeless families.
Survivors include his loving wife, Doris (Simons) Strakosch; four children, Jody (Bill Umscheid) Strakosch of Minneapolis, MN; Greg (Peggy) Strakosch of Needham, MA; Karen (Bryan) Duggan of Los Osos, CA, and Margaret Strakosch of El Cerrito, CA; seven grandchildren, Danielle, Timothy, Madeline, Jack, Molly, Valerie and Lily; two nieces, Kathy (John) Walz and Sue (Ted) Ferenczy; and many great-nieces and -nephews.
Raymond was predeceased by his son Mark, and by his brother Larry Strakosch and sister-in-law Winifred Strakosch.
A brief Prayer Service will take place at 11:30 am on Thursday, September 10, 2020 in front of Calvary Presbyterian Church, 120 South Street, Newburgh, NY with Pastor J. Edward Lewis officiating. A short service will follow at 1:00 pm in the pavilion at the Orange County Veterans Cemetery in Goshen, NY. Masks and social distancing are required.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Raymond’s memory can be made to Calvary Presbyterian Church’s Fire Restoration Fund, at 120 South Street, Newburgh, NY 12550 or at calvarypresbychurch.org.
Arrangements are under the care of White, Venuto and Morrill Funeral and Cremation Service, 188 N. Plank Rd., Newburgh, NY.