Andrew J. Strong

Andrew Joseph Strong, age 89, of Holyoke, MA and formerly of Ludlow, MA and Windsor, CT, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family, on October 28, 2023. He fought like a warrior throughout numerous surgeries and treatments after being diagnosed with both stage 4 melanoma and blood cancers in early 2017.

Born in Lorain, Ohio on December 20, 1933, Andrew entered the United States Air Force in 1954, serving until his honorable discharge in 1956. Stationed at Westover Air Force Base, this is how he met his devoted wife of 68 years, Anita. Together they raised four children, while having the time of their lives traveling, dancing, golfing and spending time with cherished family and friends. His favorite pastime was golfing at Westover Golf Course, where he formed many strong friendships over the years, in addition to enjoying winters with Anita in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Andrew received both a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Western New England University. He spent most of his career at Colt Firearms in Hartford, CT, first as a draftsman, followed by engineering manager and finally as head of the purchasing department. One of his greatest business accomplishments was successfully overseeing a $1MM cost reduction parts process modification project in 1986, leading to a cover photo of him and feature article of this achievement in Purchasing Magazine.

He is survived by his wife Anita (Peltier); son, Drew and his wife Carolyn of Somersworth, NH; son, Dean and his wife Suzanne of Rixeyville, VA; daughter, Lisa Guilmette and her husband Norman of Springfield, MA; daughter, Allison Fede and her husband Roy of Enfield, CT; grandchildren Amy Fields, Samantha Strong and Hanna Baroni; great-grandchildren Collyn Desroches, Talyn Lagace and Andie Paterson; brother, Robert Strong and his wife Michelle of Peyton, CO; sisters in-law Loraine Peloquin and Linda O’Loughlin; brother in-law Robert Peltier and his wife Robin; and countless other loved ones, family and friends.

Andrew was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Mary (Papp) Strong; sister, Regina Strong; brothers in-law Robert Peloquin and William O’Loughlin; and his very best friend since high school, Donald Dobos, who passed away in 2022.

The funeral will be a private ceremony at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam, MA, with only close family members present.

Gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Andrew to support cancer research and patient care at: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via dana-farber.org/gift.

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