William J. Strain, Jr.
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William J. Strain, Jr.

  • September 14, 1939 - July 16, 2012
  • Granby, Connecticut
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“I am sorry for his families loss. I had found a family connection to William, while searching family genealogy. ”
1 of 42 | Posted by: Debra Strain - Victorville, CA

“Sandy & Family, We are so sorry to hear of your loss. I didn't know Bill very well, but enjoyed seeing him riding with Sandy & friends in Salmon...Read More » ”
2 of 42 | Posted by: wayne & carol madore - granby, CT

“We'd like to offer our condolances and say we are deeply sorry for your loss. Joe has known Bill since he was very young when he would go back to...Read More » ”
3 of 42 | Posted by: Joe and Sharon Simon - Webster, MN

“Dear Sandy and Children, My deepest sympathy at your loss. It's been a long time since we've had a chance to visit but I remember the many times...Read More » ”
4 of 42 | Posted by: Vicki Waterman - Westfield, MA

“Dear Sandy, I remember when you were first dating Bill and there was a special something between you that was present even then. You two young kids...Read More » ”
5 of 42 | Posted by: Janis Krupnikoff Mochnick - CT

“All the members of the CTRA club just heard the news about Bill. We want to send our deepest symphany to you and your family. If the club can help in...Read More » ”
6 of 42 | Posted by: Sally Strattman Doley - Warren, CT

“Sandy, Because of Bill, each family member has lived a very unique and enriched life with exposure to a lost art of surviving with man, nature, and...Read More » ”
7 of 42 | Posted by: Diana Krupnikoff Sayers - CT

“Dearest Sandy, When I heard the news of Bill's passing, it seemed the world instantly became smaller, as if some vital element went suddenly missing...Read More » ”
8 of 42 | Posted by: Tara and Timothy Boyce - NC

“I met Bill 6 months ago with a friend, Michelle N. He was one of the most amusing, entertaining characters I have met in a long time; especially...Read More » ”
9 of 42 | Posted by: Michele Bronson

“Please know that the CTRA 'family' is so sorry for your loss, I just found out today and will be sure to let the membership know...I personally never...Read More » ”
10 of 42 | Posted by: Kim Kerski Dore - Morris, CT

“Dear Strain Family So sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. My condolences to your family. He will never be forgotten. You are in my thoughts and...Read More » ”
11 of 42 | Posted by: Ramona DiMatteo - Farmington, CT

“Sandy - So sorry for your loss! Bill was such a great guy! Always wonderful to see you and family at Town Line and in later years at Apollos. Dick...Read More » ”
12 of 42 | Posted by: Dick & Marion Ivey - Simsbury, CT

“We were so shocked and saddened to hear of Bill's passing. He was a leader in the horse world and he enriched so many people's lives. Bill was a...Read More » ”
13 of 42 | Posted by: Bruno & Sandee Plocharczyk - CT

“We are sadden to hear of Mr. Strains passing. He was such a wonderful man with the true love of horses. The well organized trail rides are a fond...Read More » ”
14 of 42 | Posted by: Victor and Marian Olszewski - KY

“It is with shock and sadden heart that I just learned of Bill's passing. He lived life to the fullest, cherished friends and family above and beyone...Read More » ”
15 of 42 | Posted by: Nancy W. Stewart - Millry, AL

“So sorry to hear the news of Bill's passing. We couldn't help but be reminded of the horse sales at Lima, OH and the good times we all had there....Read More » ”
16 of 42 | Posted by: Jan Corum Archie Pickett - IN

“Bill Strain was bigger than life. He made everyone smile and it was a pleasure to know him. ”
17 of 42 | Posted by: Melanie Stoddard - Newington, CT

“We are deeply saddened to hear of Mr. Strain's passing. Since 1986 when we moved here we have watched the trail ride pass by our house. We always...Read More » ”
18 of 42 | Posted by: Donna and Mark Newton - Granby, CT

“Words can't fully express my condolences to you, Sandy, and your family. The loss of Bill is huge to all of us in the horse communiuty and the...Read More » ”
19 of 42 | Posted by: Sue, Leeann, Kim & family - NY

“So sorry to hear about Mr. Strain's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. He was such an icon in the horse community and will be...Read More » ”
20 of 42 | Posted by: Tammy ( - Windsor Locks, CT

“I am sorry to hear of Chief's passing. Our whole family is saddened by your loss. Though we cannot attend the services or calling hours, we are...Read More » ”
21 of 42 | Posted by: Roxanne Blaze - Granville, MA

“I was sad to hear of the passing of Bill. I will never forgot your smile and the Horse you sold us Whom we named Billy, What a great human being...Read More » ”
22 of 42 | Posted by: vanessa vanderhoof - NJ - friend

“CARING AND LOVING THOUGHTS TO SANDY AND FAMILY ”
23 of 42 | Posted by: Holly,Dallas ,Chris..Equine Blvd.

“I am so sorry to hear about Bill's passing. I offer my condolences to everyone in his family, his wife, sons, daughter-in-laws, grandchildren. His...Read More » ”
24 of 42 | Posted by: Heather Hicks - Southwick, MA

“Dear Sandy and family, My deepest sympathy on your loss. Sincerely, Carol Laun ”
25 of 42 | Posted by: Carol Laun - CT

“It was with shock and sadness that we heard the news about Bill. He was larger than life and someone you thought would live forever. I bought my...Read More » ”
26 of 42 | Posted by: Tim & Donna Holland - East Granby, CT

“Rest in peace my dear friend and business associate. We will all miss you so. Sandy and family if you need anything do not hesitate in contacting...Read More » ”
27 of 42 | Posted by: Lucy Caruso - Bethany, CT

“Horses are the wings beneith us. Surly Bill is on his favorite steed above us. Dottie ”
28 of 42 | Posted by: DOROTHY GOZZZO - WINDSOR, CT

“So much we all have learned from you Mr. Strain. You will be heartfelt missed. Condolences, much love and appreciation for you and your family. ”
29 of 42 | Posted by: Barbara DiPalma - southwick, MA

“We were so sad to hear of mr. Strain's passing. We will always remember and be thankful for his kindness to our family, especially our mom. His...Read More » ”
30 of 42 | Posted by: Jennifer, Greg and Jayson Park - NY

“Hearing the news of Bill's passing both shocked and saddened us. It is such a great loss! Bill touched so many lives. There are so many of us that...Read More » ”
31 of 42 | Posted by: Arlene Bednaz and John Pelletier - CT

“Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Bill will be missed greatly by all that had the honor of knowing his kind and generous nature. His reach...Read More » ”
32 of 42 | Posted by: Rob and Chrys Longley - Granby, CT

“Bill leaves a huge legacy and endless memories to all who knew him. To understand the true meaning of "horseman", simply look under "Bill Strain" in...Read More » ”
33 of 42 | Posted by: Margaret Campbell and Iris Engel - CT

“Bill was an Icon that will stay with us forever. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. I am so sorry for...Read More » ”
34 of 42 | Posted by: Mickey Curtis - East Granby, CT

“This world has lost, and heaven has gained, one of the most loving, caring, kindest, and sincere, souls that ever walked the face of this earth. We...Read More » ”
35 of 42 | Posted by: Donna Fitzgerald & Bonnie Philips - MA

“Bill will always hold a special place in our hearts. We will always remember his wonderful sense of humor. The things he went along with at the GHC...Read More » ”
36 of 42 | Posted by: Bonnie tyler &linda Lehrbach - CT

“we will always remember the good times we shared with Bill Sandy and the boys on the trail rides with the granby horse council.Bill will be missed by...Read More » ”
37 of 42 | Posted by: Donald and Gail Messenger - Ocala, FL

“I loved going to the trail rides and seeing the Strain crew pull in with all their horses and riders. I always knew it would be a good time with Bill...Read More » ”
38 of 42 | Posted by: Tracy Root - Southwick, MA

“I can't remember all the times over the years that Bill and the entire Strain Family came to our aid as we enjoyed the joys and challenges of the...Read More » ”
39 of 42 | Posted by: The Fortier Family - Avon, CT

“We have so many memories of Bill and all of the family.....a successful and remembered man in the horse world, but more important, a deeply committed...Read More » ”
40 of 42 | Posted by: Lydia & Bud Lauck - Anthony, FL

“We were shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Bill’s passing. He will be long remembered as a true horseman, and a dear friend. Please...Read More » ”
41 of 42 | Posted by: Kathy Fisher - East Granby, CT

“Sending truly heartfelt prayers with sadness to the entire Strain family. Bill was such a special person - so loving and giving. He made a deep...Read More » ”
42 of 42 | Posted by: Kutz Family - Otis, MA


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William J. Strain, Jr., 72, of Granby, beloved husband of Sandra (Malley) Strain, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, July 16, 2012. Born in New Haven to the late William J., Sr. and Claire (Whalen) Strain, he was a graduate of Farmington High School and has been a resident of Granby for over 43 years. A lifelong horseman, Bill was an active member of the Granby Horse Council, the CT Trail Riders Assoc., and the Reddington Rock Riding Club. He was also a member of St. Therese Church in Granby. Bill was born to ride and was happiest when trail riding, a love he passed on to his children and grandchildren. He especially enjoyed the Sunday rides with family and friends. As head of the family business, The Strain Family Horse Farm, he took pride in matching the right horse with the right rider. He was very proud of his Irish heritage and was a true cowboy at heart, who was never without his trade mark cowboy hat. He enjoyed parties and gathering with friends, but most of all, Bill loved his family and was very proud of them, especially his grandchildren. Besides his wife Sandy, of Granby, he is survived by his sons, William H. Strain and his wife Christina, of Southwick, MA, and David E. Strain and his wife Kristen, of Granby; his daughter Dawn K. Stafford and her husband Peter, of North Brookfield, MA; his grandchildren, Carly, Logan, Billy, Colleen, Garrett, Jillian, and Collin; his brother Ed Strain, of Essex; his sister Kaye Sioch and her husband Edward of Colchester; and his sister-in-law, Toni Malley, of Simsbury. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM Saturday, July 21 at St. Therese Church, 120 West Granby Rd, Granby, followed by burial in Granby Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday, July 20 from 2 PM to 4 PM and 6 PM to 8 PM at the Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home, 364 Salmon Brook St. Granby. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bill's name to the Children's Hospital Boston, 1 Autumn St. #731, Boston, MA 02215.