Carl Hopkins Strand

Carl Hopkins Strand, 79, passed peacefully in his sleep on June 14, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. His greatest joy in life was his family: his wife of 53 years, Claire; his daughter, Cari, and her husband, Mason; his son, CJ, and his wife, Darcy, and greatest of all, their children, Colin and Helen. He will be remembered with love, as well, by his sister Susan, nephew Jason, niece Chandra, sister-in-law Shirley, and nieces Sarah, Deborah, Rebecca and their families. Carl is predeceased by his parents, Wesley and Pauline, his sister Margaret, and his niece Althea.

Though he graduated from Western CT State College with a degree in English, he spent most of his working life as an accountant. In retirement, he and Claire traveled and spent as much time as possible with their grandchildren. Carl was a dedicated member of the Cheshire United Methodist Church congregation, as a member of the choir, director of the bell choir, and, even as he fought cancer, the visual arts coordinator. He was involved in community activities, including the Cheshire Community Chorus and the Public Library Association of Cheshire.

Carl loved golf (don’t ask his handicap), both UConn Husky basketball teams, and, begrudgingly, the New York Giants. Because he could make friends in any room he ever entered, he will be remembered by many as kind and selfless.

In his last weeks in hospice, he was buoyed by visits from family and friends (and raising a glass, especially of bourbon, with those friends).

A memorial service followed by refreshments will be held on Saturday, June 20, at 10:00 a.m. at the Cheshire United Methodist Church, 205 Academy Rd, Cheshire, CT 06410. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Midstate Hospital where Carl received excellent care throughout his illness: https://midstatemedical.org/giving