Obituary: Mark A. Preston

As received from the Erickson-Crowley-Peterson Funeral Home:

Mark A. Preston, a retired Coast Guard Master Chief and your friendly neighborhood Aflac agent Quack Quack, unexpectedly passed away on October 6^th, 2019 at the age of 54. 

He is survived by his children, Jessica and Gerardo Martinez, Anthony and Brittany Preston, Mark and Katelyn Preston Jr, Christopher Preston, and Brody Everest; his grandchildren, Emily Pardee, Jeffrey Pardee, Christopher Pardee, Makayla Pardee, Tyler Preston, Savannah Preston, Kennedy Preston, Emmanuel Martinez, and Daniel Martinez; and his siblings, Gary and Michelle (Warnick) Preston, Arlene Cranford and Brad Flitton, Lisa Preston and Harvey Katzman, Michelle and Andrew Ramos, Nicole and Ryan Ripley, and Julie Preston.  He is preceded in death by his mother Theresa Marie Chiarenza and his granddaughter Carson Ava Preston.

Mark was born in Pasadena, CA on November 18^th, 1964.  He enlisted in the Coast Guard in January 1983, where he served 23 ½ years, retiring July 14^th, 2006.  While enlisted in the Coast Guard, he conducted several search and rescue missions, and assisted in keeping drugs off our streets by participating in drug recovery missions.  He loved his job and retired as a Master Chief in the United States Coast Guard.  After retirement, he started working as an Aflac agent.  It was important to him that he take care of his clients, whom he saw as family.  He did all he could to make sure that their claims ran smoothly and that they didn’t have to worry about filing claims alone during difficult times in their lives. 

Mark was a devoted father and grandfather.  There was nothing he enjoyed more than playing with his grandkids.  Traveling in his RV and spending time in the woods, away from civilization, took a close second to his grandchildren.  Mark loved finding ways to save money and living off the grid.  One of his accomplishments that he was most proud of, was setting up his own solar panels and windmills for a self-proclaimed power system affectionately known as the Preston Power Plant. 

A private service for family and friends will be held on Friday October 11^th, 2019.  We will also be having a remembrance service in California.  TBD 

Flowers, donations, and condolences for October 11^th, 2019 may be offered at Erickson-Crowley-Peterson Funeral Home   26090 Pine Street, Calumet, MI 49913.   (906) 337-4600