– Preston Gifford Jr. died peacefully at the Lutheran Care Center in Poughkeepsie NY on the morning of Friday, December 1, 2017. Preston was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts on September 26, 1928. He was the son of Preston Gifford Sr. and Mildred Rounsevell Gifford, of Fairhaven, MA. He was raised in Fairhaven and attended Harvard University where he studied mathematics.

Trained as a teacher, he held various teaching positions and worked in New Hampshire, California, Hawaii, Hong Kong and finally at IBM in Poughkeepsie. He married Barbara Jean Boutwell June, 1950; she preceded him in death August 18, 1972. He married Cheri Guisinger March 27, 1976; she preceded him in death November 28, 2017.

Pres was a long-time Park Ranger and then volunteer with the Franklin D. Roosevelt House in Poughkeepsie, and the Seamen’s Bethel and Whaling Museum in New Bedford, MA. He was a dedicated member and Verger at Christ Church in Poughkeepsie. He was an avid reader, especially of the English language and never forgot his nightly martini.

Pres is survived by his three daughters: Elizabeth Drury; husband Chris Drury, and son Julius; Ann Podany, husband Ray Podany, and children Abigail, Alex, and Nick; and Pamela Hallaren, husband Gerard Hallaren, and children Jay and Rosemary. Six grandchildren altogether and two great grandchildren.
Joint visitation with his deceased wife Cheri, who passed away earlier in the week will be Sunday, December 3, 2017, 2-5 PM at the Wm. G. Miller & Son F.H., Inc., 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. Services will take place at Christ Church, 20 Carroll Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 at a later date and time. If you wish to send an online condolence please visit our website at www.wmgmillerfuneralhome.com

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