Preston Lee Taylor of Allegan, MI passed away on Monday, February 23, 2026 at the age of 76. He was born August 19, 1949 in Chambersburg, PA, to George P Taylor Jr and Caroline (Giambra) Taylor.

Preston graduated from Penn State University in 1969 with an AAS degree in Mechanical Engineering. He started his career as a draftsman at Republic Steel in Youngstown Ohio, then moved on to New Orleans, LA where he prepared mechanical drawings for barges. He spent the rest of his career in New Jersey, working mostly for Bell Laboratories as a computer-aided design draftsman.

Preston was introduced to hot air ballooning by a helicopter pilot friend who flew shuttles from NYC airports to Newark and Teterboro, NJ. Preston obtained his commercial Balloon Pilot’s license in 1975. He, along with his brother, Rob (also a balloon pilot), spent many years participating in ballooning events/competitions in NY, NJ, and Ohio. The highlight of his experiences was when he visited Brian Boland in Vermont for a Memorial Day weekend. Boland was legendary in homebuilt balloons, having built and flown more than 100 hot air balloons, piloting them all over the globe and breaking world records. While visiting Boland at his residence and airport at Post Mills, CT, Preston hung out with the other “balloonitics,” and helped inflate the hot air airship (similar to the Goodyear Blimp) that Boland had designed and built in his barn/airship hangar. Preston’s most eventful trip involved a balloon competition over the Long Island Sound. Preston and a friend who was with him were soon going to be headed out to sea. Preston did the only thing he could: he landed the balloon in the only viable location, a golf course during a tournament. Needless to say, the participants were not impressed.

Preston’s other passion was skiing. His sister, Regina, introduced him to skiing in Michigan. He, in turn, introduced her to skiing the Canadian Rockies, at Alberta’s Lake Louise in 1988, a few weeks after the Winter Olympics were hosted in Calgary. Preston also skied Whistler Mountain, British Columbia, Park City UT, Jackson Hole WY, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York and New Jersey, as well as France, Austria, Switzerland and Italy, his favorite being Mont Blanc in the French Alps.

His other interests were art (including creating hot air balloon miniatures with walnut shells, toothpicks and string), and attending Grand Prix races and drag strips.

Preston was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert. He is survived by his sister, Regina Beck of Allegan, MI; sister Cynthia (Anthony) Caputo of Hightstown, NJ; nephew Christopher Caputo of Hamilton, NJ; numerous cousins, and friends who will miss his quick wit and dry sense of humor.

Cremation has taken place. A private memorial service will be held at a future date. Memorial donations may be made to Nicole McAndrew, Scarlett’s Cat Sanctuary and Furry Friends Pet Recovery, 9981 112th Ave, West Olive MI 49460.