Raymond George Strede

Raymond George Strede, age 85, of Hebron, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2021 with Dawn and Jodi by his side.  Born on March 10, 1936 in Willimantic, he was a son of the late Emil and Rose (Hausman) Strede.  Ray grew up in Coventry where he raised his four children as a single father.  In 1976 he married Jeannette Bernard Tommasi who passed away in 2005. He retired from Pratt & Whitney as a Machinist in 1980.  He and Jeannette moved to Florida where he worked for the Crystal River School System.  He loved camping, riding his bike, going out for breakfast, the New York Yankees, the Casino where he earned the name “Mr. Benjamin”, he loved the ocean, which he humorously called “The Son of a Beach”.  Ray will be sadly missed but always remembered with love by his children; and their spouses, Jodi Lagassie of Hebron with whom he made his home, Dawn Poquette and her husband Jeff of Bolton, Dennis Strede and his wife Terri of PA, Karen Cummins and her fiancé Joe Broccoli of Florida, Debra Shafer and her husband Ray of Scotland, Christopher Tommasi of Colchester, Ronald Tommasi and his wife Shelly of Danielson; a brother, Emil “Buddy” Strede of Coventry; special grandchildren Heather Verlato, Lauren and Allison Lagassie and numerous other grandchildren and great grandchildren,  extended family members and friends.  In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by his companion of 8 years, Leslie Granville, a daughter, Jo-Ann Strede, a brother, William Strede, a sister, Eleanor Costello. Calling hours will be held on Monday June 21, 2021 from 5:00-7:00 at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Rd., Colchester, graveside services will be held Tuesday at 11:00 AM at Linwood Cemetery, for all who wish to join the procession, please arrive at the funeral home at 10:30am.   Donations in his memory may be made to alzheimers.org.  For online condolences, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com   

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