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Ward Francis Strange

1927 - 2019

Ward Francis Strange obituary, 1927-2019, West Hartford, CT

FUNERAL HOME

Molloy Funeral Home - West Hartford

906 Farmington Avenue

West Hartford, Connecticut

Ward Strange Obituary

It is with heavy hearts that we inform you that Ward Francis Strange, beloved husband of Violet (Lamarre) Strange died on February 17, 2019, after a long illness with Parkinson's Disease surrounded by his family.Ward was born at home in Manchester, CT on September 19, 1927, son of the late Frances (Boudreau) and Ward B. Strange. He attended St. James Parochial School and Manchester High School, graduating in 1945. After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and served in the South Pacific aboard the USS Topeka.Upon discharge, he then went on to enroll at Boston College, graduating class of 1950. During his time at Boston College, Ward broke running time records for cross-country. Ward eventually joined Pratt and Whitney, West Hartford and was selected to their first apprentice program. After completion of the course, he was transferred to Cleveland, Ohio where he became the top salesman of Manufacturing Equipment, winning many awards.He returned to CT and in 1965 founded Pamco Inc., a Manufacturing Sales and Service Co. He also served on the Board of Directors for Comtorgage and Pneumatic Applications. Upon retirement, Ward joined the "Old Guard" and volunteered to deliver Meals on Wheels, which he did for several years as well as serving as a mentor. He also volunteered as a worker for Habitat for Humanity. Ward as an avid tennis player, skier, and hiker. He was an enthusiastic gardener, growing flowers and vegetables for many years until Parkinson's Disease curtailed that activity. He was a devoted parishioner of St. Timothy Church for 56 years where he served as a reader and usher.Besides his wife of 70 years, Ward leaves his four children: Michael Strange and his partner Paul Goodin of VT, James Strange of Canton and his special friend Claudia Lampert of Farmington, Kathleen Dolen and her husband Michael of Ellington, Jenna Grimaldi and her partner Brett Kerinan of NH. He also leaves eight grandchildren, Brian (Katie) Dolen and Sean (Nicole) Dolen of MT, Shaelyn (Danny) Bagley of MA, Emma Dolen of Ellington, LT Colonel Jeffrey (Doughty) Strange of CO, Megan (Jody) Fellows of VA, Ryan Grimaldi of SC, Brianna (Jim) McGowan of MA, and seven great grandchildren, his sister-in-law, Vivian English and many nieces and nephews. Ward was predeceased by his sister Barbara and her husband Edward and their daughter Lorraine as well his daughter-in-law Marian Strange and brother-in-law Ronald Lamarre and nephew John Lamarre. We wish to thank with much gratitude the numerous kind and caring nurses and aides at the Seabury Skilled Nursing Brewer Unit. We are also grateful to the McClean Hospice service for their excellent care and comfort for Ward and his family. Calling hours will be Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at the Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:00 a.m. in the Church of St. Timothy, 1116 North Main St., West Hartford. Burial will follow in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Donations in his memory may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, 111 West 33rd St., NY, NY 10120. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Hartford Courant on Feb. 19, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
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Jim Lemieux

February 13, 2024

I just had a mediation for work last week and my mediator reminded me of Ward and I thought of him. He was always fun to have at the tennis court, as he always had something funny to say and never got frustrated. He was also great to put at the net while we ran around behind him. Ward was a great guy and is still missed!

Ward, Ronald, Raymond

Diane Berger

March 11, 2019

A Violet et la famille,

Sincères condoléances pour le décès de Ward. Nous vous avons vu lors de notre visite chez notre très cher oncle Félix Lamarre à Hartford.

Diane Berger fille de Laurette Lamarre, cousine de Violet et Vivian Lamarre.

[email protected]

Ward, Violet et ses petits-enfants chez Félix Lamarre

Diane Berger

March 11, 2019

February 20, 2019

TO VIOLET & FAMILY, SO SORRY TO READ ABOUT WARD'S PASSING. HE WAS ALWAYS SO NICE TO RON & I

MARIE LAMARRE

Loving Light Dishgarden

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Jim Drude

February 20, 2019

My father Bob Drude and Ward both worked at Pratt & Whitney in West Hartford back in the 50's and 60's. In the 70's when Ward owned PAMCO and my father owned TAGCO on Prospect Ave., West Hartford, Ward would stop in for a quick visit. I recall his being such a nice guy. My condolences to the entire Strange family on the passing of a true gentleman.

Jim Lemieux

February 19, 2019

So sorry to hear the news of Ward's passing. He was like an uncle to us, and we always enjoyed his visits with Violet to our house. Of course, spending time with him at Sunday tennis was always a highlight---he was pesky at the net and made every Sunday brighter and more fun with his sense of humor. We also enjoyed all the stories he would tell us about our dad (who was quiet and did not like to share all of his high school stories with us---thankfully Ward never held back!). Violet, we hope you are managing and please just focus on how blessed you were to enjoy 70 years of marriage with that energetic card! He will be missed by all---but more importantly, he will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.

Pastel Peace Basket

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Sally May

February 19, 2019

Ward was a true gentleman;a kind and caring person. He will be truly missed. My sincere condolences to Violet and Wards entire family.

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Memorial Events
for Ward Strange

Feb

21

Calling hours

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Molloy Funeral Home - West Hartford

906 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06119

Feb

22

Mass of Christian Burial

10:00 a.m.

Church of St. Timothy

1116 North Main St., West Hartford, CT

Funeral services provided by:

Molloy Funeral Home - West Hartford

906 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06119

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