Charles ‘Mike’ Preston, attorney

Charles Michael “Mike” Preston, an attorney who practiced in Westminster, died of cancer Dec. 6 at his Manchester home. He was 73.

Born in Baltimore and raised in Hampden, he was the son of

Carlton E. “Bud” Preston, who owned Preston Oil and was later a Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. executive, and his wife, Jennette Baker, a department store sales associate.

He was a 1963 graduate of the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, where he played lacrosse. He earned a bachelor’s degree from what was then called Western Maryland College and was a graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law School.

Mr. Preston had been a law clerk to Carroll County Circuit Judge E. O. Weant, and he practiced law in Carroll county for 48 years.

He joined the Hoffman and Hoffman law firm as an associate in 1972. In 1982 he and his partners established Stoner, Preston and Boswell. He handled criminal, land use and zoning cases.

Mr. Preston was Maryland State Bar Association treasurer for six years. He was the 1998-1999 president of the Maryland Bar and was a member of its board of governors.

He had numerous hobbies. He was a carpenter who did home construction projects. He also built a solar-powered outdoor shower.

“He said he was a lawyer who wanted to engineer,” said his wife, Barbara J. Redmer.

He read numerous works of the history of the American Revolution. He enjoyed the outdoors and worked in his yard, He also spent time at a second home at Deep Creek Lake, where he had a sailboat, the Henry Redmer, named after his father-inlaw. He skied with friends in Ontario, British Columbia and Colorado, among other destinations.

“He was adventurous, intelligent, humble, and a great friend,” said his wife.

In addition to his wife of 10 years, a former owner of Hahn’s of Westminster, survivors include two stepsons, Erik K. Brown of Arvada, Colo., and Zach H. Brown of Hanover, Pa.

Services were Wednesday in Westminster.

—Jacques Kelly