Joseph J. Strang, Jr.

Joseph Strang, Jr. Troy-After a life filled with love, Joe Strang, 78 years of age, passed onto the next stage of his journey with God on Sunday, July 25. Joe was born in Troy, New York on August 15, 1942, the only son of Joe and Betty Strang. Joe is survived by his loving wife and best friend Janice Green Strang, with whom he shared 56 amazing years; his children: Genevieve (Robert) Stinson, Janice (Norm) Dascher, Kate (Dave) Gutman, Joe “Jake” Strang (Stacey), Bill (Aimee) Strang, Eric (Angela) Strang; his 19 grandchildren: Alex (Melinda) Piatek, Elizabeth (Bob) Poleto, James, Genevieve, Theresa, Mathew, Joseph, Brennen, Shaun, John, Ellie, Emma, Owen, Ryan, Maddie, Will, Isabel, Ian, Grant; his great-grandchildren Sam & Bobby; his sisters: Betty (Richard) Glasheen, Virginia (Stephen) Ziemniak, and Colleen Asbury and many loving nieces and nephews. A 1960 graduate of LaSalle Institute in Troy, Joe began his career in the footsteps of his father as a Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Worker, soon to become a Master Journeyman. Joe tackled the most dangerous work as a rigger, connecting steel beams, rising higher as the building was constructed. As the family he and Janice were building together grew, Joe also ran two successful businesses, both as an iron worker and a licensed electrician. Joe began a career with Niagara Mohawk. His drive and determination led him to ascend rapidly within the corporation, and after 34 years, Joe retired as Eastern Division Fleet Manager. In retirement, Joe and Janice enjoyed living a relaxing life in Port St. Lucie, FL among cherished friends. In the eyes of loved ones and anyone who knew him at all, Joe’s greatest accomplishment is the amazing family that he and Janice raised together. Joe was and will forever be the Bridge Over Troubled Water, the source of strength and comfort to his family. Joe’s intelligence, grit, drive, sense of humor, and selfless dedication to his family have been an inspiration. Joe will be forever remembered dancing in the living room with his bride to the delight of his young children and at every wedding and birthday as the love he fostered grew. Joe will be forever remembered singing Stars Are the Windows to Heaven around campfires in Lake George and silly songs to his beloved grandchildren at every Rhode Island beach vacation. Joe loved sailing and utilized every sailing adventure to share with his family a sense of support, teamwork, togetherness and love, lessons that taught them the true meaning of The Power of Eight. This power and love continues to grow as Joe’s family blossoms. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 10:00 a.m. in Our Lady of Victory Church, 55 N. Lake Avenue, Troy. Family and friends are invited to visit with Joe’s family on Thursday, 5-7 p.m. in the Daniel D. Purcell Funeral Home, Troy. The family is asking in lieu of flowers, for a memorial donation to be made to the Colon Cancer Foundation, 10 Midland Ave., Suite M-06, Port Chester, NY 10573, www.coloncancerfoundation.org or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, www.stjude.org.