Obituary of Douglas Vernon Strong

 Douglas Vernon Strong, age 63, born August 30, 1954, left this earth on April 6, 2018, to be joyfully reunited with the family that had gone on before him. His parents, Sam and Pieny Strong; his brothers Donald and Bruce (Hoot) Strong, and his sister Valerie Strong Houck all predeceased him and were waiting to welcome him home. His sisters, Jean (Alan) Ahart and Nancy Ward survive him, as well as his brother-in-law,  Bob Houck and his sisters-in-law,  Diane and Marie Strong.  Doug was also loved beyond measure by his niece and devoted caregiver, Denise Ahart;  his nephew, David (Lynette) Ahart, who live locally, as well as many other beloved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, a grand-nephew, cousins, and a lifetime of accumulated friends. Once Doug met you, you were automatically loved. What Doug has left for us is a legacy of pure happiness and joy, with a touch of stubbornness and mischievous instigation. He never missed an opportunity to share his famous Doug smile and a hug with anyone he encountered, and the concept of a stranger was completely foreign to him, even through the past few years of living with Alzheimer’s. “Dey all my frens!” This also included all the medical personnel that he charmed during his recent sudden illness. There are literally hundreds of funny Doug stories from those who knew and loved Doug and we are all going to miss the waves if you happened to be driving by when he was going out to get the mail. He has been both blessed and our blessing. We could all be a bit more Doug and our world would be a better place.  Sincere thanks goes to the nursing staff on 2 North at Wilson, especially the exceptional folks in the neuro step down unit,  who made a very trying time go more smoothly, and to Danielle DeShay and the staff at The Homesteads who had recently embraced Doug amongst them. The hugest thank you to Florence Todi, Doug’s caregiver of almost two years, who made it possible to have Doug at home as his Alzheimer’s progressed.   The family will receive friends Saturday, April 21, 2018 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Estey, Munroe & Fahey Funeral Home, 137 Main Street, Candor, NY.  Funeral services will be held on Sunday, April 22, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Phil Jordan, Officiating.  Burial will follow in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Candor, NY.  Contributions in memory of Doug can be directed to the Candor Emergency Squad, 58 Main Street, Candor, NY 13743 or to the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk, Alz.org, Bert’s Buddies team, or mailing address Central New York Walk Team, Alzheimer’s Association Central New York Chapter, 441 West Kirkpatrick Street, Syracuse NY, 13204 or to a charity of your choice.