WESTFORD - Phillip Everett Strong, 84, died peacefully at home on Saturday, November 27, 2021.

Phil was born in Westford, NY on May 25, 1937 to Arthur and Edith (Palmeter) Strong.  He was a lifelong Westford resident, and 1956 graduate of Andrew S. Draper Central School in Schenevus.

As a young man, Phil was in Oneonta's 204 ^th Engineering Battalion, Army National Guard. In addition to owning his own appliance sales and service business for many years, Phil worked for several area firms, including Scholet Furniture, Elmore Feed, and Wright's Electric. He began a New York State career in 1968, first with maintenance at SUNY Oneonta and retired from the Albany Office of General Services in 1992. Phil loved his hometown and served it well for over 50 years as a town firefighter, justice, councilman, and supervisor (24 years).

Phil married his life's love, Alane (Bartz) Strong and they shared a loving relationship over 34 years of marriage. Phil welcomed Alane's son, Jim, and treated him as his own. Phil was the father of three daughters by a previous marriage - Cherie, Janet, and Loretta have been cherished daughters spending countless hours with their dad, and elder step-sisters to Jim. Phil loved and was devoted to all his four children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, spending time with them on the farm, attending sports and other school events, taking vacations together, joining family and holiday celebrations. Together, they were the light in his life.

Working on family and area farms growing up, farming was always in Phil's blood. He loved animals and enjoyed decades of raising them, especially pigs and beef cattle. For most of his life, he enjoyed the company of many beloved dogs. Always kind to barn cats and strays, he became enamored with them as well, accepting several as house guests.

Phil was predeceased by his parents; brother, Arthur William Strong; nephew, Charles Strong, and niece, Donna Strong Osborne; mother and father-in-law, James and Maxine Bartz; sister-in-law, Cynthia Bartz Maisey and brother-in-law, Mark Williams.

He leaves behind his wife, Alane Strong; daughters, Cherie (Douglas) Gulotty, Westford, Janet Strong, Westford, Loretta (Mark) Jahnke, Milford; and son, Jim (Nicole) Benson, Port Charlotte, FL; his grandchildren are Theresa (Jason) Palmer, Elkton, MD, Ashley (Kyle) Ray, Glenville, NY, Brittni (Nicole Lamaree) Gulotty, Miles (Hunter Reed) Jahnke, Lexus Jahnke, all of Albany and Sophie and Ella Benson, FL; great-grandchildren are Aden and Ava Palmer, and their brother on the way.  Also surviving are his nephews, cousins, and in-laws, as well as his feline "kids," Boots and Rosemary.

Phil requested no calling hours or funeral. A family graveside service will be held in the spring of 2022 at the Westford Cemetery.

Arrangements are with Heller & Skinner Funeral Home, Worcester. Online condolences by may be sent to www.hellerskinnerfh.com.

Memorial gifts may be addressed to the Westford First Responders, PO Box 187, Westford, NY 13488 or the Worcester Emergency Squad, PO Box 191, Worcester, NY 12197. Thank you.