ROQUE BLUFFS – Tyrone B. “Tony” Preston Sr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, passed away May 13, 2010, after a courageous battle with lung cancer complications. Tony was the eighth of 10 children born to Horace and Minnie (Morse) Preston in Roque Bluffs. He lived and worked his entire life in and around the Roque Bluffs waters, clamming and lobstering. He was especially known for his fishing ability, hard work, honesty, stubbornness, quick temper and even quicker forgiveness, and his perfectionism. He prided himself on the perfectly stacked traps in the dooryard with buoys arranged just so, and got a kick out of it when people stopped to photograph them. Those who knew Tony knew that beneath the gruff exterior was a warm heart and loyal friend with a knack for on-the-spot funny poetry and a love for practical jokes. He enjoyed observing and feeding the birds and wildlife, exploring the woods and shores, hunting, tracking, and telling hunting stories, driving the back roads with his co-pilot and “mouthpiece,” Linda by his side, watching – and sometimes cursing – the Red Sox and NASCAR races. He and Linda enjoyed many adventures on their drives to Florida. He especially loved cruising on Daytona Beach with country classics blasting on the radio, and exploring around the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. In later years, he would often join the boys at Arnie’s and Zacrys for coffee and to catch up on the latest “news.” Family was very important to Tony, and he greatly enjoyed get-togethers and visits from his children, grandchildren, relatives and friends. Tony was always ready to help someone in need, whether it was with time, advice, or something practical like pulling people out of snow banks or ditches. He always kept his own specially made towrope ready behind his truck seat just in case. He was a man of few words and never wasted motion, but when he spoke it was right to the point, delivered with his own brand of humor, and people listened to and respected him. Tony’s strong, steady, dependable presence will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Boyd; brothers, Horace Jr., Leo and Bert; nephew, Leo Preston Jr.; father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Lillian Constantine. He is survived by his loving wife of 17 years, Linda A. Preston; children, Tyrone Preston Jr. of Roque Bluffs, Glen Preston and wife, Susan, of Jonesboro, Melissa Roy and husband, Jim; stepdaughter, Michelle St. Lawrence and husband, Joe; grandchildren, Natasha, Alicia and Mara; stepgrandchildren, Erin and Shannon; great-grandchild, Damian; brothers, Adian Preston and wife, Edna, Glen Preston and wife, Mina, and Vernon Preston of Roque Bluffs; sisters, Alta Kilton of Machias, Gail St. Jock and Mina Preston of Scarborough; many nieces, nephews and cousins. He will be sadly missed by neighbors, Valorie and Benny Crocker, and Ellie Tremallo; Linda L. Preston, mother of his children; and his constant companion, his cat Shadow. Special thanks to the ambulance crew and nurses, doctors and staff at Down East Community Hospital for the excellent and compassionate care Tony received. A celebration of Tony’s life will be held 2 p.m. May 22 at Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, 220 Court St., Machias. Bring along some memories of Tony to share. After the celebration, the family invites relatives and friends to a visiting time at Chad and Nadine’s house, 376 Roque Bluffs Road, Roque Bluffs, where you are welcome to bring a dish or dessert and share conversation and comforting thoughts. Private family burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tony’s name may be made to Ark Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 276, Cherryfield, ME 04622; American Cancer Society, One Main St., Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086-0240 or the charity of your choice. Family and friends may offer their condolences to the Preston family by visiting www.bragdonkelley.com.
TYRONE B. ‘TONY’ PRESTON SR.
