Wayland: Jonathan Strong of Wayland and formerly of Boston, MA and Hanover, NH died on June 11, 2011 after an acute infection complicated by a pre-existing condition.
Jon was born on April 6, 1934 in Hanover, NH, the son of Robert and Dorothy (Morgan) Strong. He graduated from Hanover High School in 1952, Dartmouth College in 1956, Tuck School of Business in 1959 and Harvard Law School in 1962. He was a retired Major in the United States Marine Corps.
Jon married his wife, Sonja Taylor, on October 16, 1965. After living on Beacon Hill in Boston for two years, they moved to Wayland, MA where they raised their three children.
Jon was a beloved member of the Wayland community, serving on the Finance Committee for nine years, including 4 years as Chairman. He was Chairman of the Paine Estate Committee in 1995, and was an active member of the Church of the Holy Spirit for over 35 years as a lay reader, usher and Treasurer, and was an active volunteer for the Sudbury Valley Trustees.
Dartmouth College was always close to his heart, and he was actively involved in several alumni and class activities throughout his life, including serving as President of the Alumni Council in 1981. He won an Alumni Award in 1984, and served as President of the Dartmouth Educational Association for many years.
Jon was dedicated to giving back to the community. He served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board for 28 years, and served as a Trustee for Newton Wellesley Hospital, Partners Continuing Care and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. He was a Trustee of the Ludcke Foundation.
An avid outdoorsman, he was a lifetime member of the Dartmouth Outing Club and the Hochebirge Ski Club. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, hiking, camping with his family, and maintained a particular fondness for Jeeps, a passion that started in 1945. He was a talented handyman and carpenter for home projects and he loved working in his home workshop.
Jon was a partner with Hill & Barlow and Editor of the Massachusetts Trust and Will Manual. Beginning in 2003, he was Of Counsel to Ropes & Gray’s Private Client Group. He was a Fellow of the American College of Trusts and Estates Counsel.
He is survived by his wife, Sonja Taylor Strong and children, Eleanor Morgan Schoenberger, Katherine Taylor DeFoe and Robert C. Strong, II. He also leaves his siblings Elizabeth Kent of Jackson, NH and Thomas Strong of New Haven, CT, as well as his grandchildren Kayla & Anthony DeFoe and Greta & Finn Schoenberger and six nieces and nephews.
A funeral service is planned for 1:00pm on Thursday, June 23, 2011 at The Trinity Church on Copley Square in Boston, MA. Friends are encouraged to attend.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Salvation Army, 25 Shawmut Road, Canton, MA 02021.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of the John C. Bryant Funeral Home of Wayland. For condolences, please visit www.johncbryantfuneralhome.com.