Obituary of Wilfred Strickland

Wilfred “Will” A. Strickland, a resident of Burlington for 62 years, passed away at the Meadow Green Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Walthan on Thursday, April 17, 2008. The husband of Vina “Vi” M. (Hatch) Strickland. He was 90 years old. Will was born in Boston. He was the son of the late Archibald and Minnie Farrell. He was raised and educated in Medford and was a graduate of Medford Vocational School. He was a veteran of World War II serving his country in the United States Navy as a Seabee. He participated in the invasion of Okinawa. He was the recipient of the World War II Victory Medal, American Area Ribbon, and the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon. Will and his wife Vi settled in Burlington in 1946. He had a successful career as a Precision Tool Maker. He worked at Lawson Tool and Machine in Malden, Cleveite Machine in Waltham, and for 19 years he worked for RCA in Burlington. Will had a keen mechanical mind and worked with engineers designing and crafting prototype tools and equipment. Will was a talented craftsman. In his retirement years he happily spent hours each day in his work shop working on his many projects and hobbies. He enjoyed refinishing furniture. He also made wood signs that he would carve and paint himself. He also enjoyed model making. Will was much known for his creative and whimsical Whirligigs that adorned his yard and yards all over the United States and Canada. He was a member of the VFW in Burlington, the Seabees in Wilmington, and past member of the American Legion. Will was a “homebody” and loved to spend time around his home and with his family. He enjoyed his family camping trips. Will and his wife Vi would have celebrated their 62 wedding anniversary on April 20th. Will was the beloved husband of Vina M. (Hatch) Strickland of Burlington. He was the loving father of Robert W. & his wife Joyce of Orlando, FL, Cindy R. & her husband Tom Solomito of Sicklerville, NJ. He was the brother of the late Winifred “Winnie” Aldenberg, John and Arthur Strickland. He was also survived by 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Funeral Services will be private. Memorials in Will’s name may be made to Care Alternatives, 181 Cedar Hill Road, Marlboro, MA 01752. Arrangements under the direction of the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, BURLINGTON.