Paul Alexander Strausman

ALBANY – We announce with unbearable sorrow that Paul Alexander Strausman of Albany, NY passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in the early morning hours of December 21, 2008. Paul was born to Albert and Rosalie (Stern) Strausman on January 13, 1954, in Queens, NY, raised in Hauppauge, NY and later moved to Albany where he has resided since. Paul currently taught K-5th grade general music and 5th grade chorus in the Pieter B. Coeymans Elementary School in the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk School District. Prior to this, most work occurred in Albany. He taught elementary level general music, chorus and beginner band for 11 years at the Albany Academy for Girls, and also middle school band at the adjacent Albany Academy for Boys for two years, and one year of music and chorus at Livingston Middle School. He was a favorite summer camp instructor at Helderberg Workshop in Voorheesville, NY from 1985 until the present, where he implemented the Discoverland Land of Music Program. In the course of his career, Paul was active on the folk scene as "Stock 'n Strausman" with duo partner Dick Stock, involved in Ruth Pelham's Music Mobile program, a house program, a house parent for troubled youth at Parson's, Head Teacher and Activity Director at Pierce Hall Daycare Center, an arts-in-education specialist through BOCES, a songwriting and instrument making summer workshop leader at RCCA Performing Arts Camp, an arts-in-education specialist at St. Catherine's Center for Children R & E May School, an adjunct professor at Maria College where he taught Early Childhood Music and Theory in the Classroom, and an arts-in-education specialist, performer, workshop provider, performing concerts and providing music and arts-in-education programs for families and children, schools, libraries, museums and other institutions throughout the northeast. Paul was an accomplished musician, especially on guitar, piano, mandolin and banjo and a prolific songwriter and inspirational performer. He leaves behind a vast body of work that touched many lives; award winning children's recordings with A Gentle Wind; numerous songs, teacher guides and educational materials published through Scholastic, MacMillan/McGraw-Hill and Harper-Collins; and especially his music. He was an active member of the Children's Music Network and the Picking and Singing Music Association, of which he was just recently voted president. Paul was actively involved with scouting while growing up, and also with his sons, serving leadership positions in Twin Rivers Council Cub Scout Pack 211, and BS Troop46. He was a devoted husband and father, and dearly loved and took pride in his wife and children and all of their accomplishments. He played guitar at St. John's-St. Ann's choir for ten years, in support of Carol's Christian faith, and was an active supportive member of their community. Paul loved simple things, like finding an arrowhead or fossil, spying a rainbow after a storm, and jamming with his friends. He was a peacekeeper, always gentle, kind and forgiving and always concerned for the welfare of children. He was apt to spontaneously sing out a silly song, quote a Seinfeld episode, or drop a funny line that made you laugh out loud. He often conducted his children's choirs with a silly figurine poking out of his pocket to make his singers smile. Paul's greatest strength as a music teacher was helping kids form a lifelong love and appreciation of music, and confidence in their own creative abilities as singers and musicians, whether professional pursuits or for their own personal recreation and pleasure. Paul was predeceased by his mother, Rosalie (Stern) Strausman and his close songwriting partner, Phil Zwickler. He is survived by his wife, soul mate and creative collaborator for 26 years, Carol Coogan; his beloved daughter Raina Strausman; his treasured sons, Shea Strausman and Arlen Strausman; his sister Jill (Donald) Person, all of Albany and his father, Albert (Jeanne) Strausman of Greenville, NY. A private graveside service honoring his Jewish faith was held at Calvary Cemetery, Glenmont, NY. A memorial service in celebration of Paul's life and work will he held on Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at St. John's-St. Ann's Church, 88 Fourth Ave., Albany, NY. All are welcome.