Howard E. Preston

Howard E. Preston, 83, of McGraw, NY, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2009, at the Cortland Regional Medical Center, Cortland, NY, while surrounded by his family.

Mr. Preston was born in New Woodstock, NY on February 15, 1926, a son of the late Lester and Jennie Elmore Preston. A lifelong resident of the area, he retired from the City of Cortland Department of Public Safety. Prior to that, he was a dairy farmer at several farms in the area for many years. A veteran of the U.S. Army during WWII, he was a past member of the Knickerbocker American Legion Post #596, Cincinnatus. He was also a past member of the McGraw Gun Club.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Dorothy Loomis Preston of McGraw; his children, Richard (Kelly) Preston of Homer, Michael (Marilyn) Preston of Dryden, Susan (Gary) Vleck of Cortland, Gary (Carole) Preston of McGraw, Deborah (Gordon) Valentine of Cortland, Larry (Barbara) Preston of Groton, Terry (Jacqueline) Preston of Cincinnatus, and Bradley (Tracy) Preston of McGraw. He also leaves behind his brothers, Gordon Preston of South Otselic, Harold (Margaret) Preston of Clinton, SC, and Ralph (Eileen) Preston of Hilton; his sisters, Marie (Ken) Oliver of N. Chili, and Martha (Larry) Davis of Cincinnatus; 22 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Bernard Preston, and his wife, Virginia.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at the K.L. Sharp Funeral Home, Cincinnatus, NY with Jeanne Angell officiating. Burial, with military honors, will be in Taylor Rural Cemetery. The family will be present to receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Those who wish to remember Mr. Preston are kindly asked to consider a charity of one's choice.