Batavia - Douglas R. Strang, (71), died March 4, 2015, after a brief illness. Born in Batavia, NY, he was the son of the late Robert and Mary Kenyon Strang. He was married to Judith Ann Markek Strang. He was a graduate of Corfu-East Pembroke High School, class of 1961 and a lifelong resident of the Western Genesee County area.
Doug was employed by E. Sprague, Batavia, Inc., Electrical Contractors, from 1964 until his death, with over 50 years of service. He owned and operated one of the area’s largest electrical construction firms. During his tenure with the firm at one time they did the largest electrical project in the area at that time working with and for virtually every major industry. He graduated from high school with National Merit and New York State Regents scholarships and went on to attend The College of Emporia, in Emporia Kansas. Doug was a past master of Akron Lodge #527 F&AM, Akron, NY., active serving twenty two years as the Chaplain. In addition, Doug was a 32nd degree A.A.S.R. Valley of Buffalo, a member of Ismailia Temple A.A.O.N.M.S., serving as drill instructor and Captain of the Motor Corps, the Shrine precision motorcycle drill team. A member of Buffalo Court #22 Royal Order of Jesters and a charter member of the Jesters on wheels motorcycle unit. Doug's other Masonic affiliations were Western Star Chapter #35 R.A.M., Batavia Commandery #34, K.T., and the BiCentennialMaster Association of Erie County. Doug was a member the Loyal order of the Moose Lodge #1132, in LeRoy. In addition, Doug was also a member of Batavia Lodge #950 B.P.O.E., the Jamestown Shrine Club and the Kachina Club. He served on the board of the Raymond Lawrence Fund (a Masonic benevolent fund) and was life member of the American Motorcyclist Association. Doug was a boy scout, cub scout Packmaster, Little League Coach and member of the Pioneer Men’s Club predecessors of the present Pembroke Youth Athletics Club. He was a longtime member and active in the International Association of Electrical Inspectors, the National Electrical Contractors Association and the former adequate wiring bureau of western New York.
He endowed the original Rachael Kenyon Memorial Fund (a scholarship fund for students) at Pembroke Central School District and the very first CD Rom drive to the school while serving on a technology committee at the school. Doug was a member of the Pembroke Central School District Board of Education, for over ten years, serving as Vice President and then President. During this period he was also one of the individuals who helped establish the Genesee Valley School Boards Association after the merger of Batavia and Mount Morris BOCES districts. He also served as a state legislative network representative of the New York State School Boards Association to the New York State Legislature. While still active on the school board he was elected to serve as councilman on the Batavia Town Board.
Doug is survived by his immediate family sons, Scott D. Strang (Joanna) of Batavia and Douglas R. Strang, Jr. (Melissa) of Corfu, and his daughter Kimberly M. Strang-Ferreira (Joe) of Batavia. Two brothers, Donald (Linda) and Robert (Sandra) of Attica, two sisters Susan (George) Anderson of Tucson and Deborah (Glenn) Russ of Corfu. Several cousins, nieces and nephews, and many close personal friendships that have sustained him across his lifetime. He loved his grandkids more than anything in the world.
Relatives and friends may call on Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the C.B. Beach and Son Mortuary, Inc., 4 East Main Street, Corfu. Funeral services will be held Monday at 1 p.m. at the Corfu United Presbyterian Church, 63 Allegheny Street, Corfu. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104 or the Rachael Kenyon Memorial Fund, c/o the Pembroke Central School District, PO Box 308, Corfu, NY 14036.
