Obituary of Charles Strain

Charles E. Strain, 93, of Littleton, CO passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Swedish Medical Center, Englewood, CO. Charles was born in Newark, NJ, raised in Nutley, NJ and had lived in Spring Lake, NJ, Cedar Grove, NJ, Tonawanda, NY, and raised his family in Toms River, NJ before moving to Littleton, CO. A US Navy Veteran, Charles served in the Pacific Theatre in WWII. He was awarded six bronze stars while aboard the Light Carrier USS Langley, CVL-27. Charles received his BS and MBA from Seton Hall University and worked toward his doctorate degree at Syracuse University. He retired in 1988 from Ocean County Community College as the Chairperson of the Business and Computer Science Department and served on the Curriculum Committee. Charles started his teaching career at Canisius College and also taught at Georgian Court College. He was a co-founder and served on the Executive Board of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Business of New Jersey (the first organization of its kind in the US). Charles was a member of the Academy of Management and the American Economic Association. He was a former parishioner of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Toms River, NJ and an active parishioner of St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church, Littleton, CO. Charles was founding member of the Knights of Columbus, Father James J. Kelly, Council 3632, in Cedar Grove. He was an avid golfer recording a hole-in-one on the 12th hole at Bay Lea Golf Course in Toms River. Charles was the son of Charles and Gertrude Strain and was predeceased two brothers, Richard Strain and Daniel Strain. He is survived by his wife, Theresa Strain of Littleton, CO; his children, Michael Strain and his wife, Diane of Toms River, NJ, Eileen Strain and her companion, Barbara Downs of Littleton, CO, William Strain and his wife, Georgina of Titusville, NJ, Mary Roach and her husband, Scott of Littleton, CO, Patty McCarthy of Tabernash, CO; eight grandchildren, Zachary Strain, Sarah Strain, Evan Strain, Maegan Strain, Owen Rouse, Brennan Rouse, Alec Roach, and Austin Roach; his brother, John Strain and his wife, Jeanette of Wall, NJ; his sister, Dolores Childers of Howell, NJ; numerous nieces and nephews; and friends that loved him dearly. A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Sunday, June 21, 2015 from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 10:00 AM Funeral Mass on Monday, June 22, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 685 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753. Entombment will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery. For those who desire, memorial contributions in Charles' name may be made to St. Joseph's Church. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.