James Strasser

James Thomas Strasser, “Pops”, age 78, passed away peacefully on December 14, 2023, surrounded by his wife and children.

On September 24, 1945, in Tiffin Ohio, he was born the second of five boys to Tom and Mary (Dariano) Strasser. He and his brothers Tom “Bink”, Dennis (Kathy), Phillip (Lynne), and Joe (Ana) grew up in a strong Italian Catholic family, attending St. Mary’s Elementary and Tiffin Calvert Catholic School. Thanks to the nuns’ strong wills, eagle eyes and swift rulers, Jim graduated in 1963 and began attending the University of Toledo.

And then, one day in March 1966, he spied a girl named Patricia Boyer at the Tabbard Inn. He walked across the tabletop to flirt with her, which sparked a true love story that was filled with joy, family, friendships, hard work and success. They were married on January 21, 1967, at Rosary Cathedral in Toledo, OH. They had four children, Lori (Pete) Marine, Heidi Strasser, Lisa (Pete) Krebs and Jason (Tracy) Strasser. Those four children had nine grandchildren (Noah, Catey, Taylor, Lily, Annie, Olivia, James, Thomas, Molly), which absolutely delighted Pops. His family was his center, and he was theirs.

With the loving - and occasionally firm - guidance of Patricia, he graduated from UT in 1967. He began his financial advising career at Connecticut Mutual Insurance Co. In 1995, he launched the Financial Design Group. As a result of his hard work, he was able to retire in 2015, leaving big shoes for his son and business partner to fill.

He is preceded in death by his mom Mary, dad Tom, brother Bink and grandson Noah. He is survived by numerous Strasser, Boyer, and Dariano family members and countless close friends.

He was kind, generous, mischievous, hilarious and thrived in the company of his family and friends. He never met a stranger. Once you were a friend, you were a friend for life. He was the son of a bookie and he never missed an opportunity to set an over-under or host a friendly card game. He was an avid golfer with a wicked drive and two career holes-in-one. One of his greatest joys was planning vacations where all 18 family members would be together in one house filled with fun, food and cocktails.

Please come and share your stories of Jim, Jimmy, Strass, Pops with his family. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 19, 2023, from 3-7PM at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH 43623. A memorial mass will be Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Gesu Parish, 2049 Parkside Blvd., Toledo, OH 43607. Following mass there will be a celebration of a life well lived at Sylvania Country Club, 5201 Corey Rd., Sylvania, OH 43560.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. Francis de Sales School, St. Ursula Academy, or Tiffin Calvert Catholic School.