Michael J. Preston

Michael Preston of Greenfield passed away on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2020. Mike (as almost everyone knew him) celebrated his 100th birthday on May 18, 2020. Until the last few weeks of his life, he lived independently and managed his own cooking, cleaning and bills.

Mike was born in Akron, Ohio to the late Bazyl and Veronica (Gluszak) Przeniczny. Deafened as a young child, Mike attended and graduated from St. Rita School for the Deaf in Cincinnati. He was a fiercely independent Deaf man who never allowed his deafness to stand in the way of personal and professional accomplishments. Mike was a skilled draftsman who worked for almost 60 years at several companies in Joliet, Aurora and Plainfield, Illinois including Chicago Bridge & Iron and Caterpillar. He loved to cook, was an excellent cartoonist and had great interest and zest for life. Mike enjoyed fishing, golfing, watching the history channel and traveling. Throughout his life, he maintained close friendships with both deaf and hearing people. On his 100th birthday, he received over 200 cards and letters. Mike was also very active in local, state and national deaf organizations, and for 8 years served as the Secretary of the International Catholic Deaf Association.

Mike was married to his wife Fran for almost 69 years before she died in 2016. For 45 years, they lived on the DuPage River in Shorewood, Illinois before losing their home in a historic 500 year flood. He and his wife were adventurous travelers, visiting all 50 states including many national parks and all the provinces of Canada. They continued to camp in their motor home even into their late 80s.

In addition to his parents, his wife and his son-in-law Tim Lukaszewski, Mike was preceded in death by his six siblings: Phil, Pete and John Preston and sisters Mary Sarpolis, Celia Kupris and Mildred Poole. Mike is survived by his son Paul Preston of Berkeley, California, his sister-in-law Mary Ann Preston of Port St. Lucie, Florida and many nieces and nephews. Mike was especially grateful to his son and his social worker Megan Bailey for their ongoing love and support.

At Mike’s request, no services will be held. Contributions in Mike Preston’s memory can be made either to St. Rita School for the Deaf, 1720 Glendale Milford Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45215 or to The Ridges Sanctuary, P.O. Box 152, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202.

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Michael J. Preston

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