Allen Joseph Preston, 64, SSGT-United States Air Force-Vietnam War Veteran, passed away on February 27, 2012. Mr. Preston's funeral service is scheduled for Thursday, March 8, 2012, at 1:30pm at the Bay Pines VA National Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., Bay Pines, Florida 33774 with the Pinellas County Military Honor Guard to officiate.
A native of Hanover, NH, and a local resident since 1968 when he came to the area after serving in Thailand. Allen was an aero space ground equipment technician in the United States Air Force. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Combat Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
After his service to our country, Allen attended USF, getting a degree in business, and subsequently lived in Apollo Beach, FL; Vienna, Austria; Waterloo, Belgium; Tampa, FL; Ruskin, FL; and St. Petersburg, FL. While living in Ruskin, he was president of the Mary Martha House, a battered women’s shelter, and of the Ruskin Chamber of Commerce and was an active parishioner at St. Anne Catholic Church.
Allen loved to cook, entertain friends, and tell jokes. Taking to heart the simple joys Florida has to offer, he could often be found at the beach, watching the sunset, and walking the beach at night. He was never as happy as when he was throwing a bar-b-que for neighborhood get-togethers or birthday parties for his children. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, but we take solace in that he is finally at peace.
Allen is survived by his loving family: his sons, Robert Preston of New York, NY, and Philip Preston of Tacoma, WA; a daughter, Kelly Preston of Indianapolis, IN; three sisters, Anne Lecuyer of Wrentham, MA, Marie Smith of Marathon, FL, and Patricia “Patty” Tomlinson of Tampa, FL; and a granddaughter, Maura Preston.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made in honor of Allen Preston to Bay Pines VAHCS (Dept. of VA Medical Center, PO Box 5005, Bay Pines, FL 33744).
Veterans Funeral Care
727-524-9202
My sincere sympathy in the loss of Allen. He was a gentle kind man. May God be with you all.
I’m very sorry to learn of Allen’s passing.
He was a good friend in years past.
My sympathies to his family and loved ones.
Dear Robert – So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I miss you Robert xoxox
Robert and the rest of the Preston family, I want you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I have such fond memories of your father coming to DC when Robert and I were in school. I will always remember his fun-loving nature and his affinity for a fine French meal. I am so sorry to learn of his passing, but I am happy that he is at peace in a better place.
Dear Robert, Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow. May the memories of your Dad give you peace.
Dear Robert: While filing away some papers, I came across a letter fron your Dad from April 1997. It brpught back so many good memeories that I decided to look him up. So sorry that I am too late. He was the best friend ma family and I ever had. May God Keep Him in His Arms for ever.