By Guy Page

Rev. Nathan Strong, father of a fallen U.S. Marine and husband of former Rep. Vicki Strong, has passed on to Glory.

In addition to the challenging work of pastoring a rural Vermont church, Rev. Strong was a strong, quiet supporter of his wife’s legislative vocation. Many’s the evening, as Vicki was working into the night as the Legislature neared adjournment, that Nate could be found quietly reading in the food court of the Berlin Mall. He was waiting to drive Vicki home, no matter how late the hour. 

VDC received this note from a Vermont leader of pastors: “I was just given the news of the passing of Pastor Nathan Strong, Vicki Strong’s husband. As you may know, Vicki is a long-time legislator for Vermont. Nathan was in pastoral ministry for over 30 years and was the pastor at the Albany United Methodist Church. Please keep Vicki and her family in prayer.”

Funeral services will be held 1 pm Saturday, Jan. 20 at the Albany community school.

The news was reported to Rep. Strong’s former colleagues in the House of Representatives this morning. Minority Leader Rep. Patti McCoy (R-Poultney) told a somber House this morning that he passed after illness. She mentioned that their U.S. Marine son, Jesse, died in the Iraq war. House Speaker Jill Krowinski suggested prayers and thoughts for the former member, and said a card of condolence will be circulated.

The Jan. 5 journal of the Vermont House of Representatives posted the notices of death of several former members since the adjournment of the 2023 session. 

Rev. Nathan Strong, pastor and husband of longtime Republican legislator Vicki Strong, has passed on into glory. 

• Connie N. Quimby of Concord, 2013-2020.
• Betty A. Nuovo of Middlebury, 1981-1990 and 1997-2016
• Louvenia Dorsey Bright of South Burlington, 1989-1994
• Albert E. “Chuck” Pearce of Richford, 2009-2018
• Mark J. Candon of Proctor, 1981-1984
• Betty C. Ferraro of Rutland City,1991-1992
• John C.“Jack” Candon of Norwich, 1983-1986

Vermont Republican Party Chair Paul Dame on January 3 also mourned the loss of another strong husband supporter of his politically-active wife: Lloyd Dike of Bristol, whose wife Lynn has run energetic campaigns for the Legislature in a politically blue district. Lloyd also ran for the state senate in 2022. 

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of yet another longtime Republican activist and 2022 State Senate Candidate Lloyd Dike. You can read his official obituary here.

I often ran into Lynn and Lloyd (always together!) at political and grassroots meetings, and I completely agree with Dame’s comments about Lloyd:

“I personally had the pleasure to know Lloyd and work with him over the past few years. He was a man filled with the energy and hope that is lacking in many men half his age. His persistent optimism and earnest desire to make his community better is something he will always be fondly remembered for and for which he will be dearly missed.

“Lloyd had the kind of gentle spirit you would expect to come from someone who had lived in rural Vermont for decades and had a personal connection to the land his family had grown up on. His dedication to his wife and his family will surely be an enduring legacy to them all.”