Christopher J. Preston

Chris Preston's bottom line: 'Given the right attitude anything is possible!' This is what he learned growing up in the City of Boston. Raised in the Mission Hill neighborhood he was the fourth child of five born to the late Richard and Ann (Maclone) Preston. Born in Newton on October 24, 1963 in Newton his father was a longtime employee of Boston Edison and his mother a head nurse at Brigham and Woman's Hospital and Boston Medical Center.

He attended Hennigan School in Jamaica Plain, and later Farragut, Boston and eventually transferred to Mission Grammar, Mission Hill. From there he went to Don Bosco Technical H.S. in Boston and then attended University of Lowell Engineering Program. He transferred to Wentworth Institute of Technology School of Manufacturing/ Industrial Engineering in Boston where he graduated with honors.

Chris had a myriad of professions before following his true passion. He was founder of Preston Inc. of Weston, Vice President of TVisions in Cambridge, and engineer for GTE Government Systems in Needham and as an electronic technician for Teradyne in Boston.

Chris met Weston native Cheryl S. L. Steranko and they later married on June 23, 1990 in First Baptist Church in Weston. They lived in Waltham, Weston and most recently in Wellesley.

He kept active physically. On land he enjoyed running and completed the 1996 Boston Marathon. When not on the water he was in it either swimming or snorkeling.

Chris and Cheryl shared a mutual love for the ocean and boating and as a result they turned it into an opportunity. And as Mark Twain said 'Work is not work when you love what you do'. This held true for Chris when he first earned his credentials from the U. S. Coast Guard as a Merchant Marine Officer. Chris owned and operated Duchess of Boston Sailing Charters LLC out of Boston Harbor for the past twelve seasons. It was a historic sailing charter of Boston Harbor aboard an authentic friendship sloop. He loved the Duchess almost as much as his wife, Cheryl.

He created that which we all yearn for…an experience…on a boat…in the beautifully historic harbor of Boston and beyond. Captured in photo are memories of countless people who engaged 'Captain Chris' to show them all his tours offered. Fourth of July charters, private weddings, lobster rolls and so much more all are what gave Chris satisfaction in his life's work. And while the Covid-19 pandemic put a halt to this years season and he desperately missed his customer and friends, as advertised on his website he put safety first and could not wait to get back on the water.

Sadly, Chris died unexpectedly on Monday, August 10, 2020 in Newton-Wellesley Hospital after being stricken ill at home. He was 56.

In addition to his parents he is predeceased by his brother, Richard W. Preston Jr., brother-in-law Michael Goldstein and sister-in-law, Susan Steranko.

He leaves his wife, Cheryl S. Preston; his siblings, Kenneth Preston of Arizona, Carol McFarland of Pennsylvania and Paul Preston of Brighton; his in-laws, Stephanie Goldstein of New York, James Steranko (Debbie) of Florida and Guy Steranko of Haverhill; nieces & nephews.

Calling hours for Chris will be held in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday, August 16th from 4 to 7 p.m. His funeral service and burial in Woodlawn Cemetery in Wellesley will be private.

Memorials in his name may be made to Coast Guard Foundation, 394 Taugwonk Rd, Stonington, CT 06378. www.coastguardfoundation.org/