Leslie Dale Strong
Ajijic resident Leslie Dale Strong, 72, passed away peacefully on Sunday July 26, with his family by his side.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts to Marjorie and Dale Strong, Strong grew up in Wisconsin and Iowa and spent his adult life in Connecticut.
He loved learning and education, and his interests in school were many and varied. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from Simpson College followed by his Masters Degree in Theology from Boston University. Ultimately, he earned a Ph.D in Marital and Family Counseling from Florida State University.
Strong enjoyed a diverse career spanning teaching and research at the University of Connecticut to establishing a thriving private practice. He was an inspirational leader who elevated his profession and was catalyst for change. He was unanimously nominated and served as president of the Connecticut Association for Marriage and Family Therapy from 1994 to 1996 and returned to teaching the University of Connecticut prior to his retirement.
Strong dreamed of a life in Mexico and the experiences he would encounter there. He moved to Ajijic with his wife Leslie and quickly integrated himself into the community.
Strong rapidly identified needs and took action. He helped the Ajijic Fire Department obtain the needed equipment and supplies and taught English as a second language to Mexican students. He was actively involved in Rotary and volunteering in the gardens at Lake Chapala Society.
Strong was a caring man who greeted everyone with a warm smile and gentle laugh, and took a sincere interest in people. He was tenacious with volunteering and had an uncanny knack for generating excitement to reach heights never dreamed possible. He touched the lives and hearts of all who were fortunate to have known him.
Strong is survived by his loving wife, Leslie Kingsbury; his son and daughter in law, David and Cristina Strong; his daughter and son in law, Kristin and Reese Tingey; his stepson and daughter in law, Ken and Amy Catlin; his stepson and daughter in law, Warren and Julie Catlin; his three sisters and their spouses, Nancy and Steve Roth, Ann and Clint Nagel, and Sherry and Bob Cox; and his grandchildren Olivia, Angelica, Connor, Kayla, Ryan, and Lindsay.
A celebration of life in honor of Strong will be held at La Nueva Posada in Ajijic on Monday, August 3, 1 p.m.
Memorial donations can be made to a Mexican scholarship fund established in Strong’s honor. Donations can be dropped off at O´Rourke & Associados, next door to Black Coffee on the Carretera. Checks can be made payable to O´Rourke & Associados, S.A. de C.V. with account number 5045760. Rest in peace, Les.
Ernest Peter Koop
Ernie Koop, a resident and pioneer of Chula Vista Norte for 20 years, passed away peacefully July 18 with his family by his side. Koop was instrumental in making Chula Vista Norte the subdivision it is today.
Born January 22, 1947 in Edmonton, Alberta, Koop graduated from the University of Saskatoon with a degree in Agricultural Hydraulic Engineering.
Koop was recognized in the community for his generosity in always being available to help a friend in need.
Koop is survived by his partner of many years, Hortencia Banuelos, and her children, Mayte Sanchez and Nacho Sanchez; his children Shannan and Gordon Peter; brother Harold, sister Velda and mother Margaret Koop.
Everyone is welcome to participate in a celebration of life for Koop on Saturday, August 8, 2-4 p.m. at Mazatlan 10, Chula Vista Norte. In lieu of flowers, please call a loved one.