Joseph H. Strain (Joe), 93, a fifty-five year Concord resident and ten year Westborough resident, died Saturday May 17th in Concord. As a Marine Corps Captain, he served as a dive-bomber pilot in the Marshall Islands during World War II, and fighter-bomber and helicopter pilot in the Korean War. After the war, Joe earned a PhD (1958) in Educational Administration at Harvard. During a 43 year career at Suffolk University, he taught English and speech. He held many leadership roles, ultimately becoming the associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Joe was known for his kindness, compassion, and tireless dedication to improving the world. He was a champion of the civil rights movement, worked to improve conditions for students and teachers, and helped his wife Marie organize the Committee for a National Day of Peace. He was a devoted caregiver to his wife Marie during her long battle with Alzheimer's. This experience, led to a 17 year focus on elder rights. He became an active member of the Massachusetts Life Care Resident Association (MLCRA), and the editor of Massachusetts Patriot, MLCRA' s newsletter. Joe helped to pass the Return to Home Bill, which ended the practice of transferring patients to distant nursing homes. He worked to reduce the unfair Bed Tax and also helped to end the IRS Imputed Tax on residents. He was instrumental in the passage of Senate Bill 274, which helped to protect resident's deposits in the case of facility bankruptcies. At the age of 92, Joe retired as editor of the Massachusetts Patriot. Joe loved nature and the outdoors; he was an avid singer and an accomplished whistler. He maintained his sense of humor and wit throughout good times and bad. He was the beloved husband for fifty-eight years of the late Marie M. (Burlingame) Strain; devoted father of Joe Strain and his wife Betty Akiba of Pittsboro, NC, Jeanne Strain of Cambridge, Margaret Strain of Ashland, OR, and Donna Woelki and her husband Michael of Stow; and loving grandfather of James Akiba, and Eric and Greg Woelki. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 22nd at 10 am in Duvall Chapel of Deaconess Abundant Life Community (Newbury Court ), 80 Deaconess Road, Concord. Interment with military honors will follow in the family burial plot in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Concord, followed by a reception at the Newbury Court Community Room, beginning at 12 noon. Visiting hours are on Wednesday, May 21st in the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. Concord's town flag will fly at half staff on Thursday May 22nd in recognition of Mr. Strain's service to his country in the Marine Corps during World War II and Korea. Donations in his memory may be made to Men With Heart, 733 Turnpike Street, #200, North Andover, MA 01845. (www.menwithheart.org). Arrangements are under the care of Charles W. Dee and Susan M. Dee, Dee Funeral Home of Concord. To share a remembrance or send a condolence please visit www.deefuneralhome.com.