Lawrence F. Strekel

1942 - 2022

Lawrence F. Strekel, 80, (January 7, 1942 – July 5, 2022) was the thankful son of Francis and Rita and brother to Giles, to whom he is eternally grateful. He was the proud and loving father to Matthew and Alexander, and honored to be the father-in-law of Leslie and Courtney, all of Lyme and Old Lyme. In wonderment, he was the grand "papi" to Grace, Oliver, Benjamin, and Eve. He served on the Lyme Library board, District 18 Board of Education, was a retired member of the Connecticut Air National Guard and the American Legion. He was a graduate of St. Cyril and Methodius Elementary (Hartford), Ellsworth High School (South Windsor) and Holy Apostles College and Seminary. He was a parishioner of Christ the King Church in Old Lyme, where he also taught CCD, and a long-time member of the Mile Creek Beach Club. Larry was a passionate Red Sox fan and supporter of all UConn sports, but especially men's and women's basketball. That passion for sports led to volunteerism across youth sports in Lyme-Old Lyme, most notably in founding the Lyme Ticks instructional baseball team, and the Lyme Dragons, believed to be the first team to allow both boys and girls and play on the same team. In basketball, he left his mark by teaching his sons the set shot along with the difficult to defend hook shot. He loved old movies, and was instrumental in bringing cable television to Lyme-Old Lyme via his presence on the Cable Board. Larry believed strongly in holding doors open for people, celebrating Christmas for as long as possible, the USA as the greatest country in the world, and focusing on making improvements in your own community to impact the greatest change. Larry's favorite place in the world was on his back deck watching his grandchildren swim in the pool, the occasional backyard fireworks show, and talking with his sons along with Leslie and Courtney. There is no doubt how much he loves them all and how proud he is of each of them – with years of notes from their lunch boxes to prove it. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, July 11, 2022 at 10:00am in Christ the King Church 1 McCurdy Rd., Old Lyme. Calling Hours will be held on Sunday, July 10, 2022 from 4:00 until 6:00pm in Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Beckwith Ln., Old Lyme, CT 06371. Please visit www.fultontherouxoldlyme.com for tributes and directions. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Christ the King, Florence Griswold Museum, Xavier High School, or your local youth sports organization.