Anthony "Tony" Felix Stranges

Colonel Anthony F. Stranges, Jr. (USAF Retired) Tony died on February 19, 2018 after a brief illness. He was 77 and had resided for the last 7 years in Melbourne, FL; formerly, he lived in Lansdale, PA. He was a 1958 graduate of Hatboro Horsham High School (PA) and a 1962 graduate of the University of Rochester (NY). He received a M.S. degree in Aerospace Operations Management from the University of Southern California in 1970 and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania in 1972. Tony served in the Unites States Air Force as a navigator of C-130 aircraft for 7 years on active duty and 21 years in the reserves. He worked for two years as Squadron Commander of the 327th Tactical Airlift Squadron in Willow Grove, PA, and another two years as Vice-Wing Commander of the 913th Airlift Wing. Among his accomplishments were: locating 22 fisherman who were stranded on an atoll in Pango Pango when their boat ran aground; being the first aircraft to spot the Apollo 8 spacecraft after it splashed down in the Pacific; and raising thousands of dollars from local companies and individuals in the Willow Grove area to help out the families of airmen who were deployed to Operation Desert Storm, lost their civilian jobs, and had no money coming in due to USAF payroll problems. While in the reserves, Tony worked as a manager in Warminster, PA for Semcor, Inc., a Department of Defense contractor, where he was instrumental in establishing their new office in Patuxent River, MD. He retired from Semcor in 2003 after 20 years. Tony had six great loves of his life: family, friends, the Air Force, sports, travel, and golf. Through the Air Force, Tony went to Europe, Asia, and North and South America. With his late wife, Marsha, he also traveled to Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Three years after Marsha died, he relocated in 2010 from Lansdale to Melbourne at the urgings of a former high school classmate (Nancy Gottshall Smart) and his family and friends. While holding close the many friends he made through the Air Force and other activities, he quickly fit into the Florida life style, golfing at least three times a week, and making dozens of new friends. He also started travelling again - on cruises with Nancy and on road trips throughout the U.S. But in spite of his relocation and his travels, he never stopped rooting for his hometown Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles, and was elated when the Eagles won the Superbowl this year. In the last couple of years, Tony became involved with the nonprofit, Vets Driving Vets, and would drive disabled and destitute veterans to doctors' appointments in and around the Melbourne area. He also supported and had season tickets to the Brevard Symphony Orchestra. Tony's life was celebrated with a golf tournament in his memory on February 22, 2018, at Suntree Country Club in Melbourne. The tournament was followed by a luncheon attended by over three dozen friends who reminisced about the impact Tony had on their lives and the lives of others. Tony is survived by his daughter Jill Garzarelli (Frank), brothers Tim Stranges (Rosanna Coffey) and Bill Stranges (Joan-Marie), close friend Nancy (Gottshall) Smart, seven nieces and nephews, and many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 40 years, Marsha Nylund Stranges. Internment of his ashes and those of Marsha will be at Arlington National Cemetery in the late summer of 2018 (exact date to be posted at a later date at www.beachfuneralhome.com.) Donations in Tony's memory may be made to the Vets Driving Vets program of Aging Matters in Brevard, 3600 West King Street, Cocoa, FL 32926 (www.agingmattersBrevard.org) or to the Brevard Symphony Orchestra at https://brevardsymphony.com.