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John Walter Preston
Apr 17, 2024
WEST CORNWALL —John Walter Preston (“Jack”), 84, of 294 West Cornwall Road, passed peacefully at his home. He was the husband of the late Patricia Ann (White) Preston. Jack was born Nov. 4, 1939, at Sharon Hospital. He was the son of the late Walter A. and Josephine (Cochrane) Preston.
Jack worked for the Connecticut Department of Transportation for 34 years. He began his career as a snowplow driver for the state and retired as the Manager of the Connecticut DOT. Jack served his community in many ways, most notably as an active member of the Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department for 63 years. He also enjoyed spending time at his home in East Falmouth on Cape Cod. But Jack’s true passion was providing for his wife, Patty, and their three daughters. A close second was the meticulous care he gave to his property, especially his lawn.
Jack is survived by his three daughters; Robin Preston of Ashford, Connecticut, Debra Preston of West Cornwall and Kim Preston Dube and her husband Norm of Charlottesville, Virginia. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Kyle Strong and his wife Taylor, Katherine Strong, Ryan Dube and his wife Margaret. Jack is also survived by his two great-grandsons; Bryson and John.
A graveside service was held on Tuesday April 16, 2024, at the Cornwall Cemetery Cornwall, CT. Memorial donations may be sent to the Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department 289 Sharon-Goshen Turnpike, West Cornwall, CT 06796 or charity of your choosing. Arrangements were under the care of the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home 118 Main St. Canaan, CT 06018.
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Hobart Clark Terhune
Apr 17, 2024
SALISBURY — Hobart Clark Terhune peacefully passed away on April 2, 2024. He was born the only son of Elizabeth Hobby and Sidney Terhune.
Noble was a kind and thoughtful friend who lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed growing up in the Twin Lakes area in the town of Salisbury. Hobie was a graduate of Indian Mountain School in Lakeville where he started his love of skiing. He and his dad had many enjoyable skiing adventures together in several New England locations. Hobie won the Junior CT ski jumping championship twice and also won the slalom, downhill and cross-country state championship. Hobie enjoyed participating in the sports of football, skiing and golf. He was a true Giants fan, a lover of fast cars and he enjoyed having fun with friends.
Upon high school graduation from HVRHS, he joined the Navy and served in Newfoundland as a Petty Officer Second Class. He made his parents extremely proud by being named “Navy Man of the Year” in his division. Upon getting out of the service Hobie attended McPherson College in Kansas.
Hobie relocated to Vermont as a young man to join the ski scene. He married Doss and together they had a son, Shephard. Eventually he started his Mountain Excavation Inc. business in West Dover, Vermont. Hobie can be credited for the installation of many sewer lines in the area and later he became a general contractor for several homes. He also enjoyed completing the golf course design and turf management course at UMASS.
Hobie served his community on the North Branch Fire District Prudential Committee for 23 years and he also played a very active role in the Dover Manor Road Association. Hobie was a generous and proud supporter of the VFW, American Legion, Special Olympics, the Jimmy Fund, Salvation Army, USO and Boy’s Town.
Upon retirement, he found great enjoyment in golfing in Florida and Vermont. Later in life he reconnected with Betty Ann Patchen Poll, a friend from high school. They enjoyed relaxing and spending time together.
Hobie was predeceased by his son, Shephard Terhune, his parents and his sister Suzette Terhune Dakin. Hobie will be greatly missed by all and he will be remembered for his kindness, honesty and willingness to help others in need.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Hobie’s hometown of Salisbury. Memorial donations may be made to the Special Olympics in Hobie and Shep’s memories.
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George Arthur Mortenson
Apr 17, 2024
SALISBURY — George Arthur Mortenson of Leominster, Massachusetts, passed away on April 1, 2024, at the age of 91.
George was born on Nov. 26, 1932, in Great Barrington to Arthur and Bertha Mortenson. He was raised in Amesville in the town of Salisbury. He grew up the eldest of five children. George graduated from Indian Mountain School and Hotchkiss. He left RPI to join the Marines, later transferring to the Navy to become a pilot and flight instructor. Following his military service, George became a computer programmer and systems analyst.
George met his first wife, Mary, in Connecticut and they married in 1959. They lived in Florida and Virginia before settling in Lexington, Massachusetts, where they raised their three children. Later in life, George married Mary Anne Williams and they enjoyed many years together and settled in Leominster, Massachusetts.
George was a student of history, an avid reader and a stamp collector. He loved the Red Sox and Patriots. George was a very kind and loyal man. The world was a better place with him in it, and he is deeply missed.
George is survived by his wife, Mary Anne and his extended Williams family; his three children James, Peggy (and her husband Frank), and Evelyn; his siblings Bee Ann (Ward), Peter (Barbara) and Suzy (Michael); his sister-in-law Sandy, extended Carney family, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He is predeceased by his brother Robert.
A service will be held at noon on Monday, April 22, 2024, at the Trinity Lime Rock Episcopal Church in Lakeville, CT.
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In Remembrance: Mary Graf
Apr 17, 2024
We were devastated to learn of Mary Graf’s sudden passing.
Shortly after Mary, a proud descendant of Sharon’s Hotchkiss family, and her husband Jack moved into the area some five years ago, she threw herself into the library. She volunteered at the Book Signing and at other events — never without a smile on her face. She underwrote holiday greenery for the library. She enthusiastically participated in any number of our programs and activities. Symbolic of her support is the wheelchair lift she donated. Thanks to Mary, the library, for which she had such affection, is now accessible to everyone.
The library wasn’t the only beneficiary of her time and energy. As House Manager, she was in charge of all volunteers at the Sharon Playhouse during the summer. She was an enthusiastic “Hillside Stoner,” cleaning gravestones at the Hillside Burying Ground where several of her family members are buried. She was also a benefactor of the Hotchkiss School and endowed the “Mary Graf Barn” at Hotchkiss’ Fairfield Farm.
She probably also gave of herself elsewhere, but we like to think that the library was first in her heart. Mary loved the library, and everyone at the library loved her right back.
We are so very saddened by Mary’s loss and will miss this warm, surpassingly generous and ever cheerful lady terribly.
The Board of Directors and Staff
The Hotchkiss Library of Sharon
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