David Zenreich, 36, Died; Staples Wrestler “whose warmth, charisma, and generosity were limitless.”
David Zenreich died tragically in an accident on September 8, 2022. He was 36. David was a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, whose warmth, charisma, and generosity were limitless.
David grew up in Westport, Connecticut and was known by those close to him for his humor, creativity, brilliant writing, and storytelling. From a young age, David was a voracious reader and a master of words, which was the foundation upon which he built a successful career in digital marketing. An entrepreneur at his core, David launched his first business while still an undergraduate at Washington University in St. Louis. In 2008, he graduated from the Olin Business School, which helped springboard what would become a portfolio of businesses he developed and launched over the next 15 years. David became a leader in his field, and was frequently invited to speak at industry conferences, sought after by other marketing professionals for consultation, and asked to mentor younger, aspiring entrepreneurs and friends.
While cut far too short, David lived a rich and substantial life. He was an avid and accomplished high school wrestler at Staples High School, which is where he first fostered a deep interest in bodybuilding and combat sports that he would carry on throughout his life. David was also a passionate traveler who visited dozens of countries and spent time living across parts of Asia, Europe, and South America. Although he lived in Miami towards the end of his life, New York City was always David's home-which was fitting, given his love for comedy, art, and fashion.
He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and fraternity brothers. David is survived by his parents, Michael Zenreich and Carole Roller; his sister, Sara Weiss; his brother-in-law, Eric Weiss; and his niece and nephew, Hannah and Jesse Weiss.
Published by Legacy Remembers from Nov. 2 to Nov. 3, 2022.
Dr. Murray Simon, 85, Died; US Navy Lieutenant, Westport Dentist
Dr. Murray Simon, 85, passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 29, 2022. He was born on May 15, 1937 in Malden, MA, son of the late George and Anne Goldstein Simon.
He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Linda Simon; children, Julie Tracey (Mick), David Udell Simon (Cathi) and Daniel Aaron Simon (Evelyn); grandchildren Alix Thairuammit (Alexander), Claire Simon, Jake Tracey, Max Tracey and Sara Tracey.
Murray had many "faces". Most important was husband to Linda, father to his children and "playmate" to his grandchildren. He was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, a dentist in Westport, Ct., and president of D/R/S Healthcare Consultants and on the Board of Temple Solel. He served as president of The Charlotte Gem & Mineral Club and was a volunteer at Atrium Healthcare - Pineville. Murray and Linda shared hobbies and interests in travel, magic and making fine art jewelry.
Memorial and graveside services for family and close friends was held at the Hebrew Cemetery Chapel 1801 Statesville Ave., Charlotte, NC on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Heart Assoc. or to your favorite charity.
Published by Legacy Remembers from Oct. 31 to Nov. 6, 2022.
John Ross Preston, 75, Died; Former Westporter
John Ross Preston, beloved brother, father, and grandfather died on October 5, 2022, at the age of 75.
John was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, on January 17, 1947, along with his twin sister, Susan, to Thomas and Harriet Preston. His father was a World War II veteran who participated in the D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy. John and his five siblings spent their childhood in St. Joseph, Michigan, where John grew up playing tennis, swimming on the swim team and sailing on the lake.
He attended the University of Michigan, where he met his future wife, Janet Huang, at a party. They married in Ann Arbor in 1970.
John left Michigan for a period to attend the Department of Defense's Language Institute, where he studied Spanish. After a posting in Panama, John and Janet drove north, across Central America and Mexico, and back through the United States.
After John graduated from Michigan in 1973 with a BA in History, he and Janet moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he attended Harvard Business School, earning his MBA in 1975.
They spent their early married years in New York City, and as a young family, moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico, before settling in Westport, Connecticut, where they lived for nearly two decades, raising three children and building a vibrant community of lasting friendships. They returned each summer to St. Joseph, Michigan, where John grew up.
Professionally, John had an accomplished career in corporate finance. He spent 21 years at The Seagram Company in New York, culminating in his role as Senior Vice President and Treasurer. In 2004, John and Janet relocated to Miami where he spent 14 years at Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits as Vice President of Finance and Administration. He was deeply respected by his colleagues who valued his strong moral compass, dry wit and his commitment to mentorship as much as his skills in strategic, operational and financial planning. Many of John's coworkers would become dear and lifelong friends.
In 2016, after 46 years of marriage, Janet passed away, losing a long and heartbreaking battle with dementia.
In 2020, John moved to Portland, Oregon, in close proximity to his son and daughter-in-law and just a block from his older daughter and her family. He enjoyed family dinners most nights and attended nearly all of his granddaughters' games and activities. During the pandemic, John's other daughter and her family came to live with him. For almost a year, all of John's children and grandchildren lived within a few miles of each other and spent time together daily.
John was an avid golfer and voracious reader. He loved Shakespeare, the classics, American and British history, the history of war – particularly the Civil War and the Revolutionary War – and any biography of Abraham Lincoln. He maintained a lifelong love of speaking Spanish. A true autodidact, he never stopped learning.
In recent years, John and his family returned to summering in Michigan where he made a practice of taking his five granddaughters for ice cream every day.
He loved the holidays, especially Christmas, when he always read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas to his children, and eventually his grandchildren. He had a sweet tooth, cultivated by his wife Janet's extraordinary baking, and nourished by his daughters and granddaughters, who followed in her footsteps.
He moved to Wilmette, Illinois, shortly before his passing, where he found an apartment overlooking Lake Michigan – the lake he grew up on.
John is survived by his three children, Regan, Lilly, and Wells; their spouses, Jordan, Nik, and Chrissy; his five granddaughters, Maylin, Marlowe, Daphne, Oona, and June; and three of his siblings, Susan Root, Thomas Preston, and Sarah Linthicum.
A memorial for John will be held on December 3, 2022 in Wilmette, Illinois. Details available here: https://johnr preston.wixsite.com/memo rial
Published by the Miami Herald on Oct. 30, 2022.
Lynn Murray (Lucke) Lutkin, 87, Died; Staples High School Class of ‘52
Lynn Murray (Lucke) Lutkin passed away peacefully on October, 23, 2022. She was born in Flushing, Long Island, NY on November 7, 1934, to Frank Leo Lucke and Marion (Krelwitz) Lucke.
Lynn and her older sister Ann grew up in Wilton CT. After graduating from Staples High School in 1952, Lynn attended and graduated from Green Mountain Junior College in Poultney, VT. She later attended the University of Bridgeport and Colorado State University. Lynn married Russell Dieffenbach in 1957, and they had three sons, Russell, Michael and Paul. She later married Maurice Lutkin, combining her three children and his four children onto one family.
Lynn's earlier years were spent in New Jersey and Connecticut, with later moves to Massachusetts, New York, Montana and finally to Colorado in 1973. She also had a one-year sabbatical in New Mexico. Lynn's passion beyond her family was art in all forms. After finishing school at Green Mountain Junior College, she worked at Norcross Greeting Cards and later at Time-Life. Lynn then began her teaching career in art in the Poudre School District upon her move to Fort Collins, CO in 1973. She taught art at various levels and different schools within the district. She was promoted to Art Administrator for the Poudre School District and maintained that position until retiring. During her career, she was named Art Teacher of the Year in 1983 and served as National Chairperson for the Youth Art Month through NAEA.
After retirement, she continued her passion for teaching by leading art classes at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO and at the senior center in Fort Collins. During her retirement, Lynn loved to travel to different countries, with trips to Africa, the Philippines and many European countries. In 2003 she connected with Don Hallowell, a friend of many years who was her partner until his passing in 2016. Lynn was also active in her retirement by attending classes at the senior center in Fort Collins, as a member of a hiking group, book club and bridge club.
Lynn loved being active and social and always had an event to look forward to.
Lynn is survived by her three sons, Russ (Judy) Lutkin, with their children Kyle Lutkin, Mallory Lutkin and Audrey (John) McAndrews and son Mason; Michael (Karrie) Lutkin, children Andrew Lutkin and Jordan (Ryan) Cody with children Cooper, Wyatt and Liam; and Paul (Tammy) Lutkin, with their children Katalyn Lutkin and Leandra Lutkin. She is also survived by her sister Ann, and step-children Chris, Debbie, Chinery and Beth. We love you Mom and rest in peace. A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, November 1 at 11 AM at Allnutt Funeral Home on 650 W Drake Road in Fort Collins.
Published by Greeley Tribune on Oct. 26, 2022.