Aaron Marcus Stratz
Bright, Talented, Confident, Funny, Competitive
This is the Aaron Stratz we knew and will remember...
Born in Long Beach, California, February 12, 1990, he left us much too soon, at age 17, on April 23rd, 2007. Aaron's exuberance for life and passion for those around him, set him apart from his peers. He accepted friends from all walks of life, teaching, learning and sharing with those around him. His self assurance and confidence allowed him to express himself in many genres. He excelled in sports, music, academics, skating, surfing and anything he took an interest in. At ease in any situation, his natural leadership made all that came in contact with him comfortable.
He was blessed to be born to parents, Marc and Sheri Bottini Stratz and shared a loving relationship with his older brother Benji Bottini, who he loved and respected above all others.
He loved, and was loved, and will be greatly missed.
Please also visit his myspace site (search by "display name": In Memory of Aaron Stratz) or you can catch me on FACEBOOK for his pics and friends.
UPDATES
April 23, 2013
Wanted you to know that we all miss you still. I love you and would do anything to be with you again. I talked to Sami and some of your friends and I are going to Mario's to toast to your memory tonite. Your birthday this year was quiet. A few people dropped by, tons of e-mails etc. Rosie was here with a beautiful tree in your memory. Do not forget us Boo. We have not forgotten you. I love you.
February 12, 2012
Happy Birthday Boy. If they ever fix your albums I have so much more to post. Today was another great rememberance day. Your friends and relatives all got in touch. Who would have thought that you touched so many lives that they remember almost 5 years later. I miss you, as does your dad, oh your dad.... and especially your brother. I will post more later but tonite is just a "We Love You!!!!!"
October 2011: Still having problems with this site, the picture gallery of albums and the DVD's are still not showing. I will try to get Marc to figure out why. I am so sorry. The Website people have not been helpful at all. In the meantime see Condolences and Candles and life story as it is mostly updated. It is just so hard. As the years past I thought it would be easier, but it is not. I miss him. But I am keeping up as I can. Thank you all for posting.
2011 Update: Family and Aaron's Friends....Thank you all for remembering Christmas 2010, his birthday (2/12/2011) and his death anniversary (4/23/2011). Parties were great, thank you for letting me be your 2nd mom always..... I need you guys so much cuz you make him alive for me. Remembering him at last Christmas, with helping at the shelter. In his name every holiday, I promise to update his albums. For all that were here in December 2010, February and April 2011. Kriste did a slide show thru a different company that cannot download to here, but I will post the pics and thank you all soon. Right now the albums are down due to a change in the set up by this website. But I do love you all. Rosie who took care of my boy when I was working and taught him to be an angel.... His favorite cousins, Kenz & Haley (oh my gosh Haley who was the closest to him in age) My Katie, Kyle O., Kyle Morrill, Jared, Natalie, Allison, Jamie, Sam, Brian, Nikki, Terin, Kim, Brandon, Cris, Sami, Haley, Trevor, Little Aaron, Sabrina, Jeff, Kasey and Carly, Madison, Jessie, DJ, Casey, Jamie, and Danielle, Nikkie and Panterra. His Bro Benji and his friend, Benj's dad Bo, (you all know him, how many times did he pull you ALL out of trouble? :) Oh heck, I am tired and I forgot important names: YOU KNOW ALL OF YOU, WHO YOU ARE! call me please if I forgot anyone. When I post the pics and I will name you all, my babies. Friends of Aaron Stratz. My kids, the ones I have left who love Aaron, who have not forgotten and of course welcome here forever. I am here if you ever need anything. I love you guys. Mom Stratz
4/23/2010 Aaron has been gone for 3 years. Thank you to all that remembered and wrote or came by. It still hurts and his family appreciates all who has not forgotten and misses him oo! See Life Story Updates. Thank you all.
2/12/2010 Aaron’s 20th Birthday. New Album called “Aaron’s Birthday 2 12 2010” and updates in his Life Story. Thank you all who came, wrote and e-mailed. It touches his family’s hearts you still care after 2+ years. Please visit and add photos or memories. Thank you.
2009 Updates….New pictures in Main Album, Family & Friends Album, Christmas 2009 Album, Aaron’s Life Story, Candles, Condolences and Memories. Thank you all of you that watch over him and his website. We love you all! Thank you for all your support to the Youth Shelter in his memory.
April 2009-No one has forgotten. See Life Story, Memories and Candles. Thank you to all for supporting Marc , Benj and I and not forgetting the Airbear. Bless you all.
Christmas 2008. New album in the Gallery. This year the family donated a snowflake on the HB pier in Aaron's name. Aaron's family and friends also donated money, items and Xmas baskets in his name to the HB Youth Shelter. There were at least 35 of us to watch the snowflakes being lite on Dec. 7, 2008. We love and miss him so much.
April 2008 There are two new albums in the Gallery; "One Year Later 4/23/2008" and an album called "Family and Friends". If you have a picture you want to add, you can. Just follow the instructions below (In Red), get in the album you want and then use the SUBMIT PHOTO button at the bottom of the Album page.
March 2008 Attention! New album in Gallery. Sam Griggs and Aaron had an 18th Birthday party, 2/12/2008. See photos, follow directions below and look for the album call "Aaron and Sam turn 18!" Choose album then click on Slideshow. Enjoy.
Note that in the Gallery, we have an album called "Baby Aaron and the Magic Pacifier". It is a book that Ben (Aaron's bro) wrote back in 1992 when he was a student at TMS.
To view, click on Gallery and then on the top right, choose the album you wish to see by name. (Don't use "View all" it is confusing) It is easiest to view the book (or any album) by clicking on the word "Slideshow". Use the pause and start button to read the pages at your leisure. Enjoy.
Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers and to those who donated to our favorite charities especially the HB Youth Center. We really made a difference this Xmas 2008, 2009 and 2010. Thank you! Lets keep it up even in these hard economic times for 2011. We did it and again in 2012. Love you all. These kids need whatever we can give. Once again. Thank you from Me (Shelter Mom and Aarons and Bens mama) 2013
The Stratz family will be regularly updating this site for a while as we pick and choose from the many memories which ones we are going to convert to digital media. So please check back occasionally to see new items about Aaron.
Also, please leave your pictures, thoughts and memories for the family on this permanent website, they really appreciate it.
2012: The Gallery is really messed up when this website moved from Europe to U.S. They refused to fix it as it was. I have not had the time to redo. Just look at the back up album and even though they are out of order and not labeled, you who would be here will know what you are looking at until I can straigten it all up, again...... I love you all and thank you for remembering.
Any questions - feel free to contact me sheristratz@socal.rr.com - I miss you all and the times we had together. Love ya.
