Howard Strum

BREWSTER, MASS. — Howard “Howie” Parker Strum, 96, of Brewster, Mass., passed away peacefully on Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, at his home at The Woodlands, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Cambridge, Mass., to J. Albert and E. Pearl Strum, he was raised in Waltham, Mass., where he met his much beloved wife, Florence Elizabeth Sheridan “Sherry” Strum.

Howie graduated from Waltham High School and attended Northeastern University for a year and a half until going to the recruiting office to enlist in the Army Air Corps the day after Pearl Harbor. He served two combat tours as a fighter pilot in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy until he was shot down and awarded a Purple Heart. He retired with the rank of Major.

After the war, he worked at the Newton Waltham/BayBank and retired as a senior vice-president. Howie was a member of the Freemasons and was oldest Past Master and Past Dist. Dep. Gr. Secretary associated with the Isaac Parker/Triad Lodge in Newtonville, Mass. Howie was also a Salvation Army volunteer.

Upon retiring to Brewster, he and Sherry were volunteers for 13 years with the Caring Cupboard of the Brewster Baptist Church and offered many other services to those in need. Sherry and Howie were married for 69 years.

He also contributed his time as public member on the Police Facility Building Committee in Brewster.

He enjoyed traveling to Europe and Florida with Sherry and fishing trips to Maine with the men in the family.

He was an avid walker and would often hike from Brewster to Orleans in the morning. He also enjoyed playing tennis and golf, especially when he reached the age of 90 and he could play golf for free. He enjoyed the hobbies of marquetry and woodcarving.

Howard leaves behind his daughter, Sharon Libbey and her husband Dr. Wilbert of Bridgton; a son, Mark Strum and his wife Betsey formerly of Holliston and now Brewster; four grandchildren: Sean Libbey, Denise Lang, Allison McMorrow, Alexander Strum, and their spouses (Elizabeth, Jason, Michael, and Ashley); five great-grandchildren; and eleven nieces and nephews. He was a brother to the late Harold Strum.

In lieu of flowers, donation may be made in Howie’s name to Brewster Baptist Church’s Caring Cupboard, 1848 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631, or to The Alzheimer’s Association National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave., FL. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.

Viewing hours will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., and a Masonic Service will be held at 5:30 p.m., on Sunday, Feb. 12 at Nickerson Funeral Home, 77 Eldredge Park Way, Orleans, MA 02653. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., on Monday, Feb. 13, at Brewster Baptist Church, 1848 Main Street, Brewster, Mass. Burial will take place at 2:30 p.m., on Monday, Feb. 13 at Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, Mass.