Ward Francis Strange

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