Obituary of Dennis Michael Stryker

Dennis Michael Stryker, 57, of Brick died with his wife at his side on Monday October 11 at Ocean Medical Center after fighting a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gherig’s Disease) and cancer. His friends and family will be forever proud of his bravery, love of family, and tremendous work ethic, and they will strive to carry all of these traits forward in his honor. After graduating from Freehold Regional High School in 1971, Dennis became employed by Brockway Glass in Freehold and later moved on to dedicate 36 years of service to Nestle Beverages, also of Freehold. There, he met many notable achievements, and tirelessly worked his way from an entry-level position to Department Manager. Dennis was an avid Yankees fan and most admired the career of Mickey Mantel. Dennis is predeceased by his father, John R. Stryker; his mother, Rose Stryker Kennedy; and his sister, Coleen Stryker Hough. He will be missed dearly and remembered with love by so many, particularly his wife of 39 years, Michele Fracalossy Stryker of Brick; his daughter and son-in-law, Jerilyn and Sal Anuario, of Manalapan; his daughter and son-in-law, Erin and Darren Audia, of Brick; four adoring grandchildren – Salvatore, Ellison, Brooke, and Madeline; his brother, Jack Stryker, of Freehold; his sister and brother-in-law Rosemary and David Plum, of Virginia Beach; and many other sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, including Cheryl Tracy of Jackson, Melanie and Mark Wedewer of Howell, and Christiane and Raymond Fracalossy of Freehold; many nieces and nephews; and beloved friends Kate and Rich Miick of Toms River. His family would like to extend their warm and heartfelt gratitude to Deacon Mike Mullarkey, June and Larry Higgins, and Maritza Brutko for the friendship and compassion they have extended throughout his illnesses. Relatives and friends may call at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold, on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. A funeral liturgy will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:00 am at the Church of the Epiphany, Thiele Road, Brick. Entombment will follow at Saint Catherine’s Mausoleum, Sea Girt. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dennis’s memory to Joan Dancy and PALS (People with ALS, aka Lou Gherig’s Disease) Foundation, Riverview Medical Center, 1 Riverview Plaza, PO Box 8157, Red Bank NJ 07701-8157 or to the ALS Hope Foundation, PO Box 40777, Philadelphia PA 19107.