John
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Memorial for John J. Preston
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Born in Queens, NY on Jan. 9, 1926
Departed on Dec. 4, 2010 and resided in Red Hook, NY.
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| Visitation: |
Monday, Dec. 6, 2010
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
& 7:00 pm
- 9:00 pm
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| Service: |
Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2010
11:00 am
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| Cemetery: |
Sacred Heart Cemetery
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Please click on the links above for locations, times, maps, and directions.
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John J. Preston, 84, who died on December 4th in Northern Dutchess Hospital, was born on January 9, 1926 in Corona, Queens, NY to Irish-born parents, Michael and Katherine Preston, both from Co. Mayo.
John studied for the Catholic priesthood in Cathedral College, Brooklyn, and was ordained in June of 1952. When Long Island was split off into the Diocese of Rockville Centre, he was assigned as a curate to various parishes on Long Island including Holy Spirit in New Hyde Park; St. Ann's in Brentwood; St. Edward Confessor in Syosset; and St. Patrick's in Bay Shore. In 1970 he was made pastor of St. Jude's Church in Mastic/Shirley in Suffolk County.
In 1972 he left the priesthood to pursue an independent career on Long Island and in New York City. In 1983 he married Patricia Tunison and resided with her in Manhattan. Together they wrote travel guides for Frommer's and other publishers, for which they traveled widely in the US and Ireland. John was also a talented wood craftsman and a furniture restorer.
In 1989, the Prestons moved to Red Hook, NY, and continued to write books and articles for leading travel publications. They also led group trips to the country they know best – Ireland, with 32 groups over 20 years.
John was active in St. Christopher's Church where he used his craftsman's skills to design and build the altar, lectern, and reredos of the main church. He also initiated the "Christ Tree" Christmas giving program, and started a program to recycle Christmas cards to sell and help the poor. The program was known throughout the US, thanks to articles in the New York Times and other papers, drawing countrywide attention to St. Christopher's in Red Hook.
John is survived by his wife of 28 years, Patricia; his sister Kathleen Sabalis of Charlotte, NC; sister-in-law Bernice Preston of Hawley, PA; and sister-in-law Mary Tunison of Ellington, CT; nephews and nieces Dr. Robert & Ray Sabalis of Alexandria, VA; John & Juliellen Sabalis of New Zealand; Patricia Sabalis & Tif Crowell of Underhill, VT; Anne Marie & Greg McDonald of Davidson, NC; Mary Sabalis of London, England; Kevin Preston of Chester, NY; James Preston of Raleigh, NC; Robert & Claudia Preston of Northport, NY; Tom & Amy Preston of Lynnwood, WA and Kathy & Jim Hines of Massapequa Park, NY.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:00 AM on 12/7/2010 at St. Christopher's Church, Red Hook, NY. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Barrytown.
Friends may call at the Burnett & White Funeral Homes on 12/6/2010 from 2 - 4 & 7 - 9 PM.
Arrangements are under the direction of Burnett & White Funeral Homes 7461 S. Broadway, Red Hook, NY.
For directions, or to sign the online guest book, please visit www.Burnett-White.com.
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