Michael Strausser Obituary

Michael (Mike) Charles Strausser, 72, passed away on May 10th, 2024, in Chandler, AZ, after an 18-year battle with advanced prostate cancer. 

Mike was born in Reading, Pennsylvania and relocated to Phoenix, AZ while serving in the US Air Force. After a 30+year career with Unisys/Burroughs, he enjoyed retirement at age 62. 

Mike was inducted into the Arizona Softball Foundation Hall of Fame in 2007. The friendships he made playing ball meant everything to him. The Strausser family would like to thank all his softball buddies and their wives for visiting Mike before he passed and letting him know how much he meant to everyone. Mike said it was “the best day”. Mike later turned his love of softball into a love for golf. His favorite golf partner was his son, Michael, but he enjoyed many a golf game with his softball friends as well. 

He will be remembered for his intelligence, kindness, charm, witty sense of humor, athletic skills and baking skills. Michael and his wife, Deb, enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren, traveling to Hawaii, watching crime TV shows, and caring for their bulldogs. 

He is survived by his wife, Deborah, his three children, Stephanie, Michael (Ashley), and Shannon (Luis), his siblings, Sharon, Doreen, Mark, John and Rikki, his three grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He will be missed by his in-laws, Larry & Barbara Szambelan, Andrea McNeeley (sons DJ and Thomas), and Lynn & George Hadley. Michael is preceded in death by his mother, Beverly Strausser-Green his father, Richard Strausser, and his sister Janis.

A celebration of Michael’s life will occur at a future date.

If you wish to honor Mike’s memory, he would have been thrilled to know a donation was made in his name to the Arizona Softball Foundation. The Arizona Softball Foundation is a 501-C3 non-profit. If you wish to donate, make your check payable to: Arizona Softball Foundation. In the memo line of your check indicate: Mike Strausser/AZ Softball Hall of Fame and mail to: ASF, 3818 E. Saint Catherine Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85042