Bernard Arthur Preston, born October 6, 1938, to Mildred and Oren Preston, ascended to heaven on July 30, 2026. Born and raised in Lake Placid, New York, Bernie attended Lake Placid High School where he played football, baseball, and excelled at hockey. As president of his class, he did his best to skip school and go fishing any chance he could. From a young age, Bernie loved hunting, fishing, and camping as well.

Married to Marie Shields for over six and a half decades, together they shared the joys of marriage and raising a family. Bernie spent many years coaching ice hockey for the Lake Placid Pee Wee Association, taking teams to national championships in Chicago, IL and Cleveland, OH. On countless nights he would be at the rink or in his basement, for hours at a time, sharpening skate blades for young hockey players and figure skaters. A dedicated member of the community, Bernie served several years as a volunteer firefighter and was a member of the Lake Placid Panthers firematic drill team.

As a young man, Bernie worked as a rink rat for the Town of North Elba until he and his brother, Paul, started Preston Electric where they had the local privilege of working on many of the area’s homes and camps. From there, Bernie began his career as an electrician at the Olympic Regional Development Authority where his responsibilities included all things electric at the Olympic arena and ski jumping facility. He worked there until his retirement in 2002.

Bernie and Marie spent their golden years together on McKinley Street, where they continued to love each other and their family until they went to Elderwood, where they remained side by side until his peaceful passing on July 30.

Bernie is survived by his wife, Marie (Shields) Preston; his sister, Dorothy (Hyler) Gray; his daughter Tammy (David) Mihill; his son Tony (Tina) Preston; His grandson’s Todd (Nikole) Mihill and Shawn (Vinithra) Mihill; His great grandchildren Finley, Bowman, Maya, Kaden, and Mason; and his grandchildren Megan Lyon, David (Mandy) Mihill II, Leslie (Frank) Stiles.

Bernie was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers and sisters- Oren “Pres” (Connie), Robert (June), Paul (Joanne), Raymond (Dorothy), Duane “Red” (Freda), and Leona Preston; his sister-in-law, Nancy and brother-in-law, Sheridan Bickford; and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held Saturday, August 8, 2026 at the Adirondack Community Church in Lake Placid, NY from 11:00am to 12:00pm. A funeral service will follow at 12:00pm. Burial will follow at North Elba Cemetery in Lake Placid. Rev. Derek Hansen will officiate. Honors will be provided by Lake Placid Vol. Fire Department.

The family suggests In Lieu of flowers donation be made to Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 in his memory.

The M. B. Clark, Inc., Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Pease visit www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com to share a memory, upload a photograph or leave condolences for the family to cherish.