Red Jacket (Toby Strong) has taken departure

[Skip Strong]

Toby (Dad) passed away this afternoon at 1226 from COPD and kidney failure at Eastern Maine Medical Center. Gretchen, Annie and I were able to be with him and it was as peaceful as we could make it. My brother Alden has been able to talk with him everyday from Antarctica.

The Bahamas, and Guana in particular, hold a special place in our families hearts and especially for Toby and Gretchen. The whole family (including part of Dad) will be gathering on Guana at the end of the month where he has said he would like some ashes spread. We will probably do something informal while we are there to celebrate his life. I will keep you posted.

Until then, raise a glass high and wish my Dad a good voyage. My Mom will be checking the board and has already seen the posts on the other thread.

Thanks for all your thoughts and good wishes.

Skip

[ModeratorXXX]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Everyone's loss. Toby will be greatly missed.

[HALF-A-HAMIAN]

Our sympathies, and may the Lord cradle the family in His arms of comfort.

[Tolerance]

I'm so sorry. You have my greatest sympathy and prayers.

[nancy mcdaniel]

We will look to the west at sunset and raise a toast. It is sure to be a particularly beautiful and blazing one tonight on the waters off of Guana Cay. Rest in Peace Toby. Love and Prayers to all.

[aquamarine]

Toby contributed so much of his time and energy to the community of Guana, always fund raising and volunteering for one cause after the next: fire and rescue, Save Guana Cay Reef, Cruiser's Net, etc. the list is long. He will be missed.

Martha

[abacogirl]

God Bless you Gretchen... you are in our hearts and minds

Cheryl and Vince

[GuanaB's]

We will raise a glass and a prayer for Toby
Miss you guys
Sandy and Ed- GuanaB's

[Sandalman]

Our prayers go out to you and your family.Toby will always be remembered for his contributions and love of Abaco and Guana Cay.

[Apoggi]

So sorry for your loss. Toby was a great guy and will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.

[Fancy Free]

Toby did so much for Guana Cay, and it is a better place because of his love for it. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. We wish him a safe voyage.

--Beth and Roger

[Seaside Bob]

Toby will be remembered for many reasons, his determination,his dedication,and his strength of character.
Although he is no longer with us in the earthly sense his presence will be felt in the early morning sunrises,the beautiful sunsets and in the gentle Island breezes.
May Gretchen and her family know that God and time will soon begin to ease the pain and fill the emptiness, And also know that our thoughts and prayers are with you
Bob and Gerry.

[Sam]

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Thank you for sharing Toby with all of us on Abaco. He will be missed. Sam & Meakin at "Lazy Days", formerly of Lubbers

[haziewaller]

I didn't know Toby, but always emjoyed his posts over the years. The loss of a parent or old friend is never easy. But it is obvious from all these posts that he was loved and admired.

It's nice to know a part of him will always be in Abaco.

[floridaskater]

Godspeed Toby! What a great guy. I had the pleasure of speaking (emailing) to him a few times. My thoughts are with you and your family.

[hooksmee]

Gretchen and family---Robert and I are saddened at your loss---You and Toby are 2 people who really befriended us and helped us so much when we first came to Guana Cay---We will, indeed, raise a glass to him and wish him bon voyage on his new journey---Melinda and Robert Symmes

[abacoseafan]

Gretchen, We were so saddened to hear of the passing of Toby. We are glad you were able to get home in time to be with him. We have already left Guana, so will not be able to be there with you when you return with your family at the end of the month, but our thoughts will be with you. Please know we are praying for you to have strength to get through these difficult days. Love from us both, Elaine and Mickey

[CATNAPSzzz]

Skip: We connected with Toby and Gretchen pretty much right from the start of our annual sojourns to Abaco. Whether getting together on Guana or via the VHF we shared a profound pleasure in being able to flee the cold and snows of Maine. We also spent a few days at Penury Hall in beautiful Southwest Harbor several years ago. He had the sea in his blood. Toby was most proud of his children; he never failed to regale us with the accomplishments and adventures.

During the years of our heavy involvement with the spay/neuter/rescue of Potcakes our fund raising was aided by the donation of stays at the Guana House as one of our raffle prizes. Beneath that gruff exterior, Toby had a big, big heart. Ayuh. We raise a parting glass of rum to an old friend. Toby was a brilliant man, the likes of whom we'll surely never meet again. Our sincere condolences to Gretchen and the family.



CATNAPSzzz
Harry and Kathy

[Skip Strong]

Dad wrote most of the following himself.

On April 10th, 2008 Prentice “Toby” Strong Jr. died from complications resulting from COPD and a lifetime of smoking.

He was born in Tuxedo Park, N Y, on June 4th 1931, the only son of Prentice and Ruth Curtis (Hill) Strong.

He was educated at the Pomfret School, the University of Bridgeport (Ct) and the University of Maine, earning degrees in Accounting/Economics and a Masters in Student Personnel Administration.

His eclectic career spanned many fields from four years in the military with the Army Security Agency to the innkeeper, along with his wife Gretchen, at Penury Hall in Southwest Harbor, Maine. Stops along the way included electrical engineer, real estate broker, garbage man, entrepreneur, Assistant Director of Housing at the University of New Hampshire, Dean of Students at Tarkio College in Tarkio, Mo; land development with the Dead River Co., blueberry factory manager, newspaper editor and publisher, and working in the small boat business.


He also co-founded the Central Maine Egg Festival with Don Brough in Pittsfield, Maine in 1973, and the Quiet Side Festival with Marty Lyons in Southwest Harbor, Maine in 1985.


In 1961 he married Gretchen Koehring and fathered two sons, Prentice “Skip” Strong III of Southwest Harbor, Me and Alden K. Strong of Salisbury Cove, Me.


His avocations over the years included sailing, skiing, sky diving, ham radio, music, and antique cars.


Of primary importance to Toby was his and Gretchen’s second home on Great Guana Cay, Abaco Bahamas. They began visiting Guana in 1982 and built their home there in 1989. Since then they have spent many winters there participating fully in the community of the Cay.


He is survived by his wife Gretchen, son Skip and his wife Annie Dundon and their children, Emma and Maggie; son Alden and his partner Wendy Beeler; and a half sister Silvia Bennet.


Following his wishes, no memorial service will be held, a gathering of friends will happen at a later date. His remains will be scattered on Great Guana Cay and in Western Way off Southwest Harbor. Any contributions may be made in his name to the Mount Desert Island Community Sailing Center, PO Box 116, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679, or Guana Fire and Rescue, Great Guana Cay, Abaco, Bahamas.


Thanks for all your kind words about him. Even though he could be cranky and stubborn to a falt, we loved him and he will be missed.

Skip

[Aquarium]

Gretchen,
Barbara and I send our warmest blessings to you.
Toby and I worked together on many projects and I will always remember our friendship over the last 20 years. He helped make Guana Cay a better place.
The best to you,
Mendy & Barbara

[nancy mcdaniel]

Hello! We miss you around here and need you to repaint the mural at the Guana All-Age School and to rebuild the Welcome To Guana Cay arch over the new wider gov't dock!!! You are missed, your efforts to help EVERYBODY in the community are missed. Guana is not the same without the old-timers!!! Hoping you and Barbara are healthy. Come visit!

[Longreach]

So sorry to here of his passing.Guana will certainly miss him as well as the many peoples lives that he touched.