Jay L. Strange, 83
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - Jay L. Strange, 83, of College Avenue died peacefully at home, on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012, of natural causes, surrounded by his family.
Born in North Adams on March 27, 1929, the eighth of 10 children of Earl G. and Elizabeth M. Viguers Strange, he graduated in the class of 1946 from Drury High School, and was a drummer in the band all four years.
He served with the Army in the 31st "Dixie" Division Band from 1951 to 1953, during the Korean War.
In his younger years, Mr. was a drummer with several drum corps, including the V.F.W., the Berkshire Rangers, The Eagles, and the world-class Interstatesmen. He was also a drum and drill instructor for The Eagles, the Pittsfield Boys Club and the P.N.A. Drum Corps in Adams.
Mr. Strange was employed by the former New England Telephone & Telegraph beginning in 1955 as a telephone technician and retiring in 1984 as a systems supervisor.
After retiring, he did volunteer jobs, including Lifeline installations for North Adams Regional Hospital, eight years of tutoring for the Adult Literacy program, entertaining at nursing homes and the Adult Day Care Center as a singer with B.J. & the Entertainers, being an information specialist at the Northern Berkshire Tourist Information Center, and working the Gate B admissions at the SteepleCats baseball games and on election days.
A longtime member of the choir at the former St. Anthony of Padua Church, he was a soloist at numerous weddings and funerals, and a member of the Berkshire Chorale. He also sang the national anthem at the SteepleCats games. He was also a communicant of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church.
A very dedicated golfer, he celebrated his seventh hole-in-one this past spring. He was a longtime member of the Forest Park Country Club in Adams, where he served for several years on the board of directors and three years as club president. He was also a dedicated billiards player at Family Billiards and recently with the Vietnam Billiards Club. In addition, he was also a crossword puzzle aficionado of the New York Times category and enjoyed cooking and baking.
Mr. Strange was an extraordinarily devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Known for his generous spirit and kindness, he often shared baked goods, garden vegetables, a funny story, words of encouragement, a song, and his friendship to many. A very humble man, he was an inspiration to those who knew him and will be truly missed, but his spirit will live on within his family and friends.
He leaves his wife, Jennie C. Strange, whom he married on June 7, 1952; a son, Steven Strange and his wife, Kathleen McDonough Strange, of Naperville, Ill.; a daughter, Kathleen Strange of Francestown, N.H.; a sister, Gertrude Bazinet of North Adams; two grandsons, Matthew Strange and his wife, Alicia, of East Rutherford, N.J., and Nicholas Strange of Naperville; three great-grand-children, Isaiah Strange, and twins Noah and Lia Strange, all of East Rutherford, N.J.
He was predeceased by his four brothers Earl V. Strange, Robert A. Strange, Paul H. Strange and Foster R. Strange; and his four sisters Marion L. LePage, Laura Lightbown, Mildred Fierro and Inez Memole.
FUNERAL NOTICE - The funeral for Mr. Strange will be Monday, Aug. 13, at 10:15 a.m. from Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery.
Calling hours will be Sunday, Aug. 12, from 2 to 5 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to HospiceCare in the Berkshires or St. Elizabeth's Church in care of the funeral home.