Jonathan Strong, 77, lawyer, outdoorsman, and volunteer

Born in Hanover, N.H., Mr. Strong graduated from Hanover High School in 1952 and received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Dartmouth College in 1956. Mr. Strong served in the US Marines through the ROTC program for two years before enrolling at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business, where he received a master’s degree in 1959. He then earned a bachelor of law degree from Harvard Law School in 1962.

Mr. Strong then went into the active reserve for the Marines and retired as a major in 1992.

During his lifetime, he focused on giving back to the local community.

“He’s thoroughly true and honest,’’ said his wife, Sonja. “He won’t give up on anybody. He’s loyal forever to their needs. He’s also a very compassionate person. I think he’s very smart. He uses his brains and intelligence to further his hobbies.’’

Mr. Strong served on the Wayland Finance Committee for nine years, four as chairman. He was chairman of the Paine Estate Committee, which helped the town acquire the property and decide how it could be used. He was also an active volunteer for the Sudbury Valley Trustees, one of the funding sources for acquiring the Paine Estate.

He served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board for 28 years and was an active member of the Church of the Holy Spirit. Mr. Strong also had a deep affection for Dartmouth College, winning the Alumni Award in 1984 and serving as president of the Dartmouth Educational Association for many years.

Mr. Strong was passionate about the outdoors, often hiking, traveling, or spending time with his family and loved ones.

“He really loved the outdoors, and in his later years hiking,’’ recalled his wife. “He hiked about 3 miles a day, four days a week.’’

Mr. Strong loved to fish, ski, hunt, and camp and was a talented carpenter and dedicated family man, relatives said.

His son, Robert C. Strong II of Grantham, N.H., said he and his father hiked Hadrian’s Wall, an approximately 84-mile trip that cuts across England.

“The hike was the best thing we’ve done together,’’ his son said. “That trip was the most extensive time that I got to spend with him. It was amazing.’’

Mr. Strong was described as loyal and trustworthy by his friends and family.

“The word that always leaps to my mind is compassionate,’’ said his daughter, Eleanor Schoenberger of Hanover, Mass. “He always gave back to the community. He was just very committed to that. He was also very humble and down-to-earth. He was about as solid as could be and really dependable. He stood up for what he believed in.’’

“Right up until the very end, he was having a great time,’’ his wife said. “He was a really wonderful husband. I was one of the luckiest people ever to have him as a spouse.’’

In addition to his wife Sonja, his son Robert and his daughter Eleanor, Mr. Strong leaves another daughter, Katherine Taylor DeFoe of Stowe, Mass.; a sister, Elizabeth Kent of Jackson, N.H.; and a brother, Thomas of New Haven; and four grandchildren.

Services have been held.

Derek Anderson can be reached at derek.anderson@globe.com.