Dr. Preston L. Lowe, 68, of Clayton, died Sunday, June 7th, at Hospice of Jefferson County, where he was under the care of hospice and his family, after a long illness.
There will be no services at this time due to the Covid Pandemic. Arrangements are with the T.R. Jetty Funeral Home in Clayton.
Preston was born October 25th, 1951, in New Milford, Conn., the son of William and Dorothy Lauer Lowe. He graduated from Arlington High School and Oswego State University. He attended Pennsylvania College of Optometry and worked as an Optometrist in Utica, NY before opening his own practice in Watertown in 1985.
On May 9th, 1981, he married the former Susan Lodge, in Newport, N.Y.
Preston and Susan owned and operated Apple Optical in Watertown for 30 years. Preston loved helping people and greatly missed his patients when he retired in 2015. He was a member of the American Optometric Association.
Preston belonged to the Sigma Gamma fraternity while attending Oswego State University. His friendship with many of his fraternity brothers continued until the time of his death and those friendships have been a great comfort to his family. He was a past member of the Clayton Lions Club, the Watertown Rotary Club, the Town of Clayton Planning Board. and the Thousand Islands Museum Board. Preston’s passion was decoys; carving, painting and collecting them. He was a member of the 1000 Islands Decoy Collectors Association and contributing writer to Decoy Magazine.
Preston enjoyed gardening, especially growing many varieties of day lilies. He loved the St. Lawrence River and Black Lake and enjoyed boating, canoeing, fishing, and duck hunting.
Surviving besides his wife Susan, is his mother Dorothy (Dee) of Clayton; one daughter, Erin Teal (Dwayne) Lipinski of Massachusetts; two grandchildren, Will and Evie; two brothers, Allen “Hooker” of Colorado, and Galen (Janice) of Maine; two cousins, West (Marie) Lowe of Connecticut, and Tucker (Jeanie) Lowe of Utah; and his faithful companion, his dog McKeever.
Donations can be made in his name to:
Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham Street Road, Watertown, N.Y. 13601.
The HealthWell Foundation at www.healthwellfoundation.org,
The Michael J. Fox Foundation at www.michaeljfox.org.
or the charity of your choice.
John and Amy Stenard
So sorry to hear of Dr. Lowe’s passing. He was always our favorite eye doctor – knowledgeable, gentle, kind and fun. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Deborah Phinney
I am so sorry to read of Preston’s passing. He was my eye doctor for many years, still have not found an equal replacement!! He was always so kind and friendly..sincere sympathy to his wife and daughter…
larry lunman
Susan and family, I just learned of Preston’s passing this evening. I am very sorry for your loss and future Clayton Decoy Shows will not be the same without him, He will be missed by exhibitors and patrons alike. RIP Preston.
Stella Carnegie
Susan, So sorry to hear of Preston’s passing. Please know I am here for you. Stella Carnegie
Bishop Doug and Barb Marlow
Susan, so very sorry to hear of Preston’s passing. He will be fondly remembered for all the charitable work he did for those needy children of the Watertown City School District at Apple Optical and in other areas as well. He was a great husband, father and friend. He was a good Christian man and did much to support the Episcopal Congregation in Clayton. I personally admired this good man and will miss his cheerful disposition and good nature. Prayers for your family and for you!
Dr. Stephen Baker
I just found out that dear Preston had passed. We at Northern Optics are deeply saddened by this news. We have been proud to carry on Dr. Lowe’s legacy of service, dedication and passion in eye care. I always considered him a mentor and friend and will miss him greatly. A truly wonderful man and doctor, Rest In Peace Preston. Our condolences to the family. Susan , if you need anything , please contact us anytime.
-Stephen and Kristy Baker, Aimee Pecori and the Northern Optics team
Ted peterson
Soory for the loss he was a great eye doctor he went to watertown rotary club with my father he will be missed praying for family peterson family
Mary E Wenk
I was so saddened to read of Dr. Lowe’s passing. He cared for my mother’s eyes when she was quite elderly. He showed her such kindness and patience!
Bill Breitenbuecher
Dear Susan and Teal,
I am so very sorry to read of Preston’s passing. Holding you both close to my heart and sending much, much love. Mr. “B.”
Dick and Patti Stephens
Susan: Patti and I were saddened to hear of Preston’s passing. From taking care of our eyes to sharing a business relationship, he was more than “Dr. Lowe”. what I didn’t know until I read his obituary was that we share the same birthday and are fraternity brothers. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Rhonda Redder
Dr. Lowe was a great doctor who knew his patients well. I was one of his first patients in 1985, and eventually took my children to him as well. His retirement was tough. (After 30 years with him, I literally cried, but understood.) Driving by the vacant office is sad, but we enjoy the sign and smile. We loved his humor and gentle, honest nature. Our community lost a great man. Condolences and hugs, Susan and family.
Art & Penn Keen
To the Lowe family …we were deeply saddened by the passing of your husband and father. We trusted our eye care with Dr. Lowe for many years. Our children grew up with Dr. Lowe taking care of them. He did not do unnecessary things to make more money…He was fair with his prices and he was a kind man…again we are so sorry for your loss…and may your memories be comforting to you…God Bless The Keen family
sue gillett
Sorry to hear of Dr Lowe’s passing. He and his family lived next door to my Dad, Dr Gillett in Clayton a few yrs ago. Dr.Lowe was super nice, I then had him as regular
My eye doctor at Apple Optical. I missed him when he retired totally from the other office. Future generations will miss him and his level of care. Condolences to his family, Sandy and the others that worked with him so long.
.
Tracey Dietterich
So sad to see Preston has passed. I worked for him for 25 years; he became my friend, and, surrogate brother. His kind heart, humor and enthusiasm made work a pleasure. We were truly a family at Apple Optical. I watched his daughter grow from kindergarten on, and, his joy in his role as a grandfather was wonderful to see. I know his family will find strength in their happy memories, and courage from their time together during his illness. Love, Tracey
Susan
Tracey, so nice to hear from you. I think of you often. Susan
Jan Larrow
I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Lowe’s passing. He was a very special man, with a great sense of
caring along with a great sense of humor. Patient, kind, thorough and always had a twinkle in his eye. and a dry smile on his face. I have missed him greatly since his retirement. My sincerest condolences go out to his family.
Tina Sutherland
Sending thoughts and prayers to the family.
Our family always loved going to see Dr. Lowe. He was so thorough with all of us.
I remember when my son did a health class report on Glaucoma. Doctor Lowe was so great
helping him out with an interview about Glaucoma and gave his posters for his presentation.
May he RIP.
James Tyler
It saddens me to learn of the passing of Dr. Lowe. He was a kind and good man. I am thankful for his care of my eyes over many years and for the honor of knowing him. My thoughts and prayers for him and his family in their time of need.
Liz and Bruce Daugherty
Men like Dr. Lowe come far and never in between. He was gentle, humble and so sincere. He was missed when he retired and will be missed more now. To his family our prayers and thought are with you.
Jenn and Terry Wood
We are so sorry to hear that Dr. Lowe has passed. Our family went to Apple Optical for many years and enjoyed every visit! He was friendly, kind, and funny! Thinking of you, please cherish your memories.
Lin and Pat Fields
We send our prayers and healing hugs to Susan. We loved doing work for them, and enjoyed his calls to us – he was always such a joy to talk to and work with. A truly good man…
Lin and Pat Fields
P.S.G Plumbing, Heating and AC
Becky and Craig Wagner
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Preston was a special person, and a friend. I worked with him when he first came to Watertown. My husband and I went to him for our eye care, until he retired. We miss the personal care he gave everyone. We haven’t been happy anywhere else. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Stephen LeBlanc
We have lost a great guy. I was his patient for most of his career and have yet to find anyone to be his equal! In and out of the office there was always a smile, a warm handshake, and a great conversation to be had. All who knew him will miss him.
CYRIL
Dear Dee, Susan Teal and family
Our sincere condolences to all of you. our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Preston will be very missed by all of us.
Cyril and your friends at RBC
Marsha Hasseler
It was always a pleasure to meet with Dr. Lowe; we looked forward to appointments. His friendliness and dry humor were a fun addition to the examination time. Thank you, too, for his observations in the special needs for one of our children. We missed him when he retired. As you miss him more now, we wish you God’s comfort. I Thessalonians 4: 13-18 is such an encouragement.
Maureen Hilts and family
Like many of those who have posted condolences, Dr Lowe was both my children’s and my doctor for years untill he retired. He was a very kind and patient man which was exemplified by how calm and patient he remained while flipping those lenses back and forth several times before I could decide which was better or worse: number 1 or number 2, or better yet, number 3 or number 4. Best eye doctor ever. Professional with a good sense of humor. My heart goes out to his family.
Thomas Ventiquattro II
Susan & the Lowe family,
I’m sending condolences and hoping that you find comfort in the company of family & friends. Dr. Lowe was my regular optometrist for many years prior to my relocation to the Malone NY area. I was blessed to have been served by a top-notch and extraordinary professional regarding all aspects of eye care. In the early 1980s, I had the pleasure of meeting Preston’s Dad, William, when both men hunted waterfowl at the Perch River Wildlife Management Area (via my employment as a DEC technician at that “duck-check” station). I always enjoyed our conversations whenever Dr. Lowe and his father related the happy details of their experiences in the marsh. I’ll never forget Preston or his Dad (two exceptional individuals).
Again, please accept my condolences.
-Thomas Ventiquattro II
Ellisburg, NY
Galen Lowe
Preston, a Lament, Safe Passage
Preston Lauer Lowe, born October 25, 1951 in New Milford, Ct, avid outdoorsman
Husband, Father, brother to some, friend to many, passed beyond our bounds, June 7, 2020, after sustained illness, into the arms of the greater adventure we must all, inevitably partake.
Preston has renewed his last license, thereby granting scores of low flying waterfowl safe passage, whole schools of fish permission to forage as they might, undisturbed without distraction, leaving string after string of decoys crated and un-deployed while geese fly overhead honking their thanks. Safe Passage.
Preston – arms that would love lie empty, hearts filled with grief – lie quaking. Safe passage – my friend – safe passage.
Your struggle with frustration, disability and disappointment is finished. The waters before your bow are smooth, tranquil.
May the turmoil of our hearts be as still, may comfort prevail, here at the end of your journey while ours goes on under your watchful eye. Safe passage, my friend, my brother, safe passage, with kudos for a life well loved, well lived.
Hello to our friends, the loved ones we have lost.
Safe passage.
Jill and Dave Fraczek
Saddened to hear of Dr. Lowe’s passing. He was kind man and a great doctor. Missed our chats and his expertise after he retired. Rest in peace. Condolences to his family.