William A. Strong

William A. Strong, 70, referred to as Bill or Billy, died sudden and unexpectedly on June 7, 2022 at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, New Jersey. He was the beloved long-time partner of Sabine Loechner of Union, New Jersey.

Bill was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on October 12, 1951 and was the eldest son of the late Lillian (Buckley) and William D. Strong. Bill grew up in Somerville, Massachusetts and attended Western Junior High School, Don Bosco Technical High School, North Yarmouth Academy and American International College. He was a gifted athlete and was inducted into the Don Bosco sports hall of fame for basketball and football. He later went on to work in the construction industry.

Over the last 20 years, Bill maintained his primary place of residence in Lowell, Massachusetts, a city that he loved and where he met Sabine. He could often be found around town treasure hunting for historic Lowell Mill pieces and amassed an impressive collection. Bill had a deep appreciation for all forms of art and in his later years, he took to creating and selling his own art and enjoyed painting on canvas, taking photographs of architecture and cityscapes and working with metal, granite and wire.

With his brilliant memory and love of reading, Bill was a lifelong student of current events and able to connect with people from all walks of life due to his knowledge and wide range of interests. He was a natural statistician and color commentator for all sports, but especially loved ice hockey. Between his children and grandchildren, he inspired many talented athletes. His favorite sports teams were the New England Patriots, the Boston Bruins and the Boston Red Sox. He also held a special spot in his heart for the New Jersey Devils and enjoyed attending games at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. But the team he loved the most and cheered for the loudest was the team he created, his family.

Bill spent a great deal of time traveling to New York and the New Jersey Shore looking for unusual sights and places that sparked his interest. He was an explorer of cities and especially enjoyed riding and watching the Staten Island Ferry.

He will be remembered as a quick witted, kind and thoughtful neighbor, friend and brother, a skilled listener, an engaging storyteller, a fun-loving partner and a proud father.

Bill is survived and will be deeply missed by his long-time partner, Sabine Loechner; his five children: Kasie Strong-Fairbarn and her husband Ryan of Dunstable, MA, Kraig Strong and his wife Michelle (Ricotta) of Weston, MA, Kyle Strong, Kip Strong and Kam Strong all of Groton, MA; his seven grandchildren: Macallister, Karter, Krew, Ryan, Grier, Guerin and Brooks; his former wife and mother of his children, Joyce (Morin) Strong of Groton, MA; his four siblings: Sandra (Strong) Driscoll and her husband Daniel of Gloucester, MA, David Strong and his wife Anne Jannetti of Seattle, WA, Patricia Strong and her husband John Lucey of Winchester, MA and Paul Strong and his girlfriend Shannon Mantone of Wakefield, MA; as well as one niece and many nephews.

A celebration of life will be held privately per Bill's wishes. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bill's name to Lowell Makes, a 501(c)(3) non-profit in Lowell, Massachusetts that supports local artists, engineers, makers and thinkers (www.lowellmakes.com).