Edward Stropp Jr. (“Sandy”) passed away peacefully on September 25, 2026, surrounded by family and friends, at the age of 86. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His family finds comfort in knowing he is once again reunited with his beloved wife, Bonnie, with whom he shared 52 happy years of marriage, as well as his parents, Edward and Marion, and his sister, Nancy.
Sandy grew up in New Jersey, spending his childhood in Short Hills, Summit, and Basking Ridge, while enjoying summers in Westport, Massachusetts. Upon retirement, he made Westport his permanent home. There, he resided atop a famously steep driveway affectionately known as "Mount Stropp." Even into his 80s, he could be found shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, and tackling yard work on its daunting incline. Most people considered this dangerous at any age. Sandy considered it exercise.
Athletics were a lifelong passion. In fact, little could keep Sandy from participating in sports. As one of the earliest children to undergo open-heart surgery, he confronted challenges from an early age and never let them define him.
He loved tennis, sailing, and even gave windsurfing a respectable try, excelling at nearly everything he attempted. The notable exception was skiing. Sandy never quite mastered the concept of stopping, a skill generally considered important to the sport.
Most of all, he was a devoted dad and grandfather. He showed up to countless games, matches, and events for his kids, Edward Kellard Stropp III ("Kelly") and Stephanie Stropp Hoban, and later cheered on his grandchildren, Charlie and Maggie. They always knew he would be there, cheering from the sidelines.
His greatest joy in later years was spending time with family. Summers were especially meaningful when Kelly, his wife Becky, and their children Charlie and Maggie joined him in Westport. Charlie and Maggie affectionately called him “PopPop”. Sandy loved daily trips to the beach with the family, morning coffee conversations with Becky, excursions to Ace Hardware with Charlie, and teaching Maggie the surprisingly complicated art of navigating the Westport dump. Locals understand that this was no small accomplishment.
He also treasured his time on the golf course with Stephanie and his son-in-law, Michael Hoban. Whether the shots were spectacular or spectacularly bad, the laughter was always plentiful.
Throughout his later years, Sandy faced numerous health challenges with remarkable resilience and good humor. He often referred to himself as "The Comeback Kid," a title he earned time and time again.
Sandy will be remembered for his perseverance, his wit, his devotion to family, and his ability to find joy in life's simple moments. He leaves behind countless stories, fond memories, and people who loved him dearly, including his brother-in-law, Roger Greene.
In a fitting final moment, shortly after Sandy passed away, a lullaby could be heard playing through the hospital. The family later learned the song was traditionally played to celebrate the birth of a newborn. It seemed an appropriate tribute to a life well lived: one chapter ending as another begins.
A memorial service to which relatives and friends are invited will be held later this fall at the Acoaxet Club in Westport.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Westport River Watershed Alliance, P.O. Box 3427, Westport, MA 02790.