Michael A. Strenk, 46, of Scotia died on December 29, 2007 at his home following a heart attack. Born in Amsterdam New York, he is the son of Shirley English Strenk of Scotia and the late Henry Strenk. As a child he moved to Scotia graduating from Scotia-Glenville High School's class '79.  Mike was on the school's football and basketball teams.  He then entered the military where he became a Navy Seal.

LCDR Michael Strenk entered Active Duty Naval Service in 1980 as an Enlisted Sailor, attending Navy Boot Camp, Great Lakes, IL    After Boot Camp he volunteered for SEAL Training.  A 1981 graduate of Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL Training Class 109, Mike was then assigned to Underwater Demolition Team 21 in Little Creek, VA as a communicator in a UDT Platoon.  Having two deployments as a SEAL Operator in the Mediterranean (incl: Lebanon during the USMC Barracks Bombing). 
Rating School - Radioman (RM) - 1980 - Navy

Navy Active Duty assignments included - Radioman, Third Class Petty Officer (RM3) - 1981-1984; Navy Reserve SEAL Team Two, Providence, RI - 1989 - RM2 Strenk - Communications Department;  Commissioned as a Navy Reserve Officer - Ensign (ENS) – 1993;  Navy Reserve, Special Operations Command Korea, New Haven, CT - 1993 - ENS Strenk -Maritime Operations Officer;  Navy Reserve, SEAL Team Two, Providence, RI - 1995 - LTJG Strenk - Assistant Training Officer;  Promoted to Lieutenant (LT) – 1997;  Navy Reserve, SEAL Team Two, Providence, RI - 1997 - LT Strenk - Training Officer;  Navy Reserve, SEAL Team Two, Providence, RI - 2000 - LT Strenk - Executive Officer;  Navy Reserve, Navy Special Warfare, Training Detachment Two, Little Creek, VA - 2001 - LCDR Strenk - Officer In Charge, Maritime Operations Cell; Promoted to Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) – 2003;  Mobilization for Global War On Terrorism - Navy Special Warfare Liaison Officer, USS Lincoln - 2004 - Personnel Security Detail Officer In Charge;  Completed Mobilization at Navy Special Warfare Group Two, Little Creek, VA - 2005 - Assistant Operations Officer;  Navy Reserve, Navy Special Warfare, Battle Staff East, Little Creek, VA - 2005 - LCDR Strenk - Operations Officer; Navy Reserve, Navy Special Warfare, Newport Detachment, Providence, RI - 2005 - LCDR Strenk - Executive Officer;  Navy Reserve, Navy Special Warfare, Newport Detachment, Providence, RI - 2007 - LCDR Strenk -Commanding Officer;  Highest Navy Award/Medal - Navy Commendation Medal - For Mobilization during GWOT 2004-2005.


Mike was currently a reservist in the Navy serving as Lieutenant Commander.  He received his bachelors degree from SUNY at Albany in 1989.  He was employed by the District Attorney's office for a short while before entering the NYS Police Academy on 4/11/1994. He was first assigned to the Fonda Station and eventually the Prinetown Barracks.  Mike was a SCUBA police diver prior to his training as MRT (Mobile Response Team).

He served with the military in several conflicts overseas including Lebanon, Grenada,  Panama and Iraq.

Mike married the former Michelle Covell of Scotia.  He enjoyed his family and the time he spent with them.
His hobbies including skiing. 

Survivors include his beloved wife Michelle L. Strenk, sons Matthew and Tyler Strenk and his mother Shirley , all of Scotia; his sister Marcia Powers and her husband Mark of Schenectady, bothers, Thomas Strenk (companion Beth Meyers) of Brooklyn and William (Susan) Strenk of Milwaukee, WI;  his mother in-law Janet L. Covell of The Villages, FL  and father in-law Donald R. Covell of Perry, NY. Several uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews survive in addition to his State Trooper comrades.