Charles William Strong (born Sparaco), 91, passed away on Feb. 2 at the VA Hospital in Long Beach, Cal. A long-time resident of Jefferson, he was born on Sept. 29, 1917 in New York City, N.Y., the son of Charles Sparaco and Ingeborg Wankko, first generation immigrants from Sicily and Sweden, respectively.
Charlie spent his early childhood days in Washington Heights, New York City, where his father owned and operated a barbershop. The family later moved to Bogota, N.J. While growing up in Bogota, he joined Boy Scout Troop 1 and became an Eagle Scout in 1934. Years later he would help establish Troop 216 in Jefferson where he was the Scoutmaster for many years.
Charlie, a speedy, quick forward and leading scorer, played on the state championship boy’s basketball team for Bogota High School in 1935 and many years later was
inducted into their Hall of Fame. He attended Springfield College (Class of 1941) in Massachusetts where he earned his degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. He played varsity basketball there for four years, and in 1940 the Springfield team was crowned New England Champions.
After graduation from college, Charlie took a teaching/athletic director job at Pemetic High School (Southwest Harbor) and became the boys’ basketball team coach which would win the Eastern Maine Class C championship in 1942. He is considered to be the first coach in Eastern Maine basketball to break away from the traditional zone defense and use “man to man” press defense. Years later after WWII, he would become a strong supporter of grammar school and high school athletics in Maine. In the 1960’s, while serving on the Jefferson School Board, he introduced the sport of basketball into the Jefferson School system. He helped teach basketball fundamentals to enthusiastic Jefferson boys on Saturday mornings during the winter and his efforts led to the establishment of a grammar school basketball program there. The baseball and soccer field at his residence on Bunker Hill Road attracted many children for practices and games. He was known by many locally for his tennis accomplishments following his retirement which included teaching tennis as a volunteer at the YMCA in Damariscotta. During his retirement years Charlie could also be found hitting the links with his golf buddies or competing in 10-pin bowling.
Charlie served his country during WWII as Commanding Officer of a PT Boat (PT78) in the Navy and saw action in the Philippines. He received the Bronze Star (Combat V) commendation and a Purple Heart. After recovering from his injuries, he again served in the Navy during the Korean War. Following WWII, he worked at the Veteran’s Administration in Togus and retired in 1980 after 35 years. He was an advocate for veterans’ services.
He is preceded in death by his brother, Paul; sister, Inga; and wife, Mary.
He is survived by his children, Judie of San Francisco, Cal., Charles Jr. of Laguna, Beach, Cal., Marilyn of Yarmouth, Paul of Rolla, Mo., and John of Leavenworth, Kan.; and ten grandchildren.
A private memorial is planned for a later date this summer.
