Hamilton Strayer

Hamilton Werren Strayer, age 94, of Fairview, ended his journey, Saturday, March 16, 2013 at UPMC Hamot. He was born in Erie, Pennsylvania on October 27, 1918, son of the late George Hamilton and Anna Werren Strayer. Mr. Strayer was a graduate of Strong Vincent High School and attended Lehigh University. He was owner and president of Erie Strayer Company, for over 35 years. He was active in several national concrete industry associations, including the American Equipment Manufacturers, the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, serving as chairman of its Manufacturing Division, and the Concrete Plant Manufacturers Bureau, which he also chaired. Ham was a long-standing member of the Manufacturers & Business Association, in Erie, serving as its president in 1971. Ham was a member of Perry-Keystone Lodge No. 392 F.&A.M., Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Erie, and Zem Zem Temple Shrine. He was a member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. He was a member of the Kahkwa Club, the Erie Yacht Club, Erie Maennerchor Club, a life member of the Erie Club and member of the former Aviation Club, a member of the Pennsylvania Society, an active and well respected member of the Republican Party, on the local, state and national levels, and was one of the founders of the "Ridge Runners." He was also a longtime supporter and attendee of the Erie Philharmonic. Ham served on many boards, and was a Fairview Township auditor for over 30 years. Some of his most favorite things were Sunday family dinners, tennis, which passion has been passed down from generation to generation, and philanthropy to many organizations, including Hamot, where he served on the Board of Corporators. He loved spending family vacations on Paradise Ranch just outside of Buffalo, Wyoming, in the Bighorn Mountains. He also enjoyed wintering on Sanibel Island, in Florida, and walking the beach collecting shells. H.W. loved the time he spent with his family and friends at his hunting camp, in Forest County. His favorite advice was "stay the course." He was a remarkable man and will be missed by many. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Natalie Griffin Strayer, a son Scott Strayer, and brother Roger Strayer. He is survived by two sons: Hamilton G. Strayer, and Robert F. Strayer and his wife Susan, two daughters: Lydia Haynor and her husband Edward, all of Fairview, and Anne Strayer of Westhampton, Massachusetts; six grandchildren: Heather Patik and her husband Garrett of Lafayette, Colorado, Natalea Haynor of San Diego, California, Gretchen Wurtzman and her husband Jeremy of Denver, Colorado, Matthew Haynor of Boulder, Colorado, Shelby Roberts and her husband Brad of Cleveland, Ohio and Kyle Strayer of Erie; six great grandchildren: Ava Patik, Brayde Patik, Beau Patik, Quinn Wurtzman, Maya Wurtzman and John Roberts; a brother-in-law John Kojis of Minnetonka, Minnesota; two sisters-in-law Nancy Strayer of Fort Meyers, Florida and Janet Griffin of Erie; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 West 26th St., Erie, on Tuesday from 1-3 and 5-7 p.m., and are invited to attend services at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church on Wednesday, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Elisabeth Fitzgibbons officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. A Masonic Service will be held Tuesday at 6:30pm. Memorials may be made to St. Stephen's Church, 1070 Dutch Rd., Fairview, PA 16415, or to the local charity of one's choice.