In Memoriam

It is with sadness and a heavy heart that I announce the passing of our longtime Seven Springs ski patroller and dear friend Howard Johnston on Sunday April 12, 2026.

For many years, first as a Safety Ranger and then as a Ski Patroller, Howie was a steady presence on our mountain. The guests came to know him for his kindness and looked forward to greeting him at the Gunnar Chairlift every morning. When he retired due to declining health, just a few years ago, the question; “Where is Howie?” was heard over and over again on the mountain.

Employees from all departments knew him by name, and he had a special way of making everyone feel seen and supported without ever making a big deal of it. At the end of every shift, Howie would send our guests off to the front side of the mountain with a pointed arm, a clear direction, and a contagious smile.

Paul W. Kling, age 83, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 2, 2026.

Born in the Philadelphia area, Paul proudly served in the United States Air Force and later moved to New Hampshire, settling in Loudon, where he embraced the outdoor lifestyle, he loved building a life in the Concord and surrounding community.

Paul was the proud owner and operator of Paul’s Alignment Service, serving the Concord and surrounding area for more than 50 years. Through his dedication, integrity, and friendly spirit, he built a successful business and lasting relationships with customers, colleagues, and friends throughout the community.

A lifelong lover of the outdoors, Paul found great joy in skiing, hiking, competitive running, and backpacking throughout the mountains and trails of New Hampshire.

Walter R. Carlson, age 91, died peacefully at his home on January 4, 2026.

Rudy was a lifelong skier and Charter Member #3 of the National Ski Patrol’s Certified Program. The program was initiated in 1958 by:
• Harry Pollard, National Ski Patrol (NSP) Representative
• Ray Amiro, American Red Cross
• Ralph Woods, First Aid Instructor, Professional Ski Patrol Association (PSPA)
• George Wesson, NSP/PSPA
• Dexter Galusha, American Red Cross
• Wayne Doss, Springfield College
• Sunny McCawley, Cannon Mountain Ski Area
• Casey Rowley, Stratton Mountain Ski Area
• Rudy Carlson, NSP/PSPA

In notes he made at one of the group’s earliest meetings, Rudy wrote that they wanted to improve training and professionalism for the “many World War II and Korean corpsmen who wanted to tighten up the NSP system.”  

Lloyd Alexander, age 95, of North Tonawanda, NY, entered into rest on January 1, 2026. He was born on December 3, 1930, and was the beloved son of the late Thomas and Eva Alexander.

Lloyd was married for 67 years to his devoted wife, the late Dolly Alexander, with whom he built a life centered on family, adventure, and service to others.

A proud veteran of the Korean War, Lloyd carried his sense of duty and discipline throughout his life. He devoted his professional career to education, serving as a teacher and Assistant Principal at Lewiston-Porter Junior High, where he impacted generations of students.

An avid skier for more than 80 years, Lloyd was a lifetime member of the National Ski Patrol and a member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America for over 40 years at Kissing Bridge.

David Coakley passed away on February 12, 2026. He was the son of Joseph H. Coakley (1908-1976) and Florence M. Coakley (1910-2000) . He grew up in North Dartmouth and New Bedford, MA, where he was an accomplished scholar athlete. He went on to attend Southern Massachusetts University (now UMASS) where he played college soccer and earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

David was very proud of his New Bedford, MA roots. He was an avid sailor since a young age and sailed all around Buzzards Bay, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, MA his entire life. He was particularly proud of the New Bedford Whaling History as David was a direct descendant of Captain John T. Coakley, a Whaling Captain out of New Bedford, MA.

Dave Coakley is the type of patroller we all aspire to be. He joined NSP in 1974 as a member of the Mohawk Ski Patrol and threw himself into his ski patrol career with energy and enthusiasm.

Ralph Cooke of Glenwood, NJ passed away on December 23, 2025, at the age of 77. An avid reader with a keen intellect who loved games, Ralph warmed many lives with his good humor and insight. He was always ready to listen to others’ perspectives and share a kind word. He loved the outdoors, and spent his free time hiking, swimming, camping, and white-water rafting.

Throughout his life, Ralph was known for his generous heart, sage wit, and indominable spirit. Ralph grew up in Pompton Plains, where he served as a Boy Scout and played football as a teen. He graduated from Alfred University with a degree in English.

Russ King, 96, of Manlius, NY, died at home on April 25, 2025. He was born in Syracuse, NY, on April 22, 1929, to Harry and Gladys (Adams) King. He was predeceased by his granddaughter Sarah Anne King in 1987 and the love of his life, his best friend, and wife of 60 years, Joan (Jiggy) in 2012.

At age 17, he enlisted in the US Naval Reserve while a student at Nottingham High School. This would lead to a four-year service as a Naval officer from 1952 to 1956 during the Korean War.

Russ pursued a career in architecture inspired by his father, Harry, and grandfather, Melvin King, principals of King + King Architects. Russ graduated from Syracuse University School of Architecture in 1952. Russ and Jiggy met at Syracuse University in 1950 and were married in June 1952.

Jerry Leff, a 57-year patroller at Seven Springs Ski Patrol in Western Pennsylvania passed away on January 21, 2026. An avid skier, Jerry will always be remembered as a loving, giving person who was always willing to help anyone. He was very generous behind the scenes helping those in need. He was also known for bringing Kosher bar-b-que baloney to the patrol’s annual Beast Feast.

Jerry was a 32nd degree Mason and Shriner for over 50 years. In the summer, nothing gave him more pleasure than riding in the motorcycle motorcade with the Shiners and community parades. He also loved entertaining on his boat – the “Just Leff.”

Steven Reisman, former Patrol Leader at Big Vanilla at Davos Ski Patrol in the Southern NY Region, passed away on August 9, 2025, at the age of 84.

Born on June 13, 1941, Steven attended Bayside High School, where he excelled at swimming. At just sixteen, he became a lifeguard at Rockaway Beach—a role that sparked a lifelong passion for the ocean. He later joined the Knickerbocker Yacht Club in Port Washington, NY, serving as secretary for more than sixteen years and participating in countless sailing events on the Long Island Sound.

Steven was also a proud member of the New York Athletic Club in New York City and enjoyed spending time at their summer facility on Travers Island in Westchester, NY. Deeply committed to community and history, Steven served as a trustee of the Cow Neck Historical Society in Port Washington, where he contributed his time, ideas, and expertise.

John Cleary, a 30-year volunteer patroller at Hidden Valley Ski Patrol, Western Appalachian Region, passed away on October 25, 2025 at the age of 74.

“John was kind, soft-spoken, funny, genuine, warm, and so much more,” said Hidden Valley Ski Patrol Director, Lisa Buss. “John was one of the kindest people I have ever known. Not only was he an excellent ski patroller, but he also went out of his way to have a chat and ask fellow patrollers about their life outside of patrolling…how is the family, how is work, any trips coming up?

Following his retirement from Hidden Valley Ski Patrol, John and his wife, Kathy, continued to be homeowners at Hidden Valley, and were often seen in the chairlift lines or on the slopes, and made frequent visits to the patrol room to say hello.

John was a graduate of Kent State University in the field of architecture. He was a survivor of the Kent State Shootings on May 4, 1970…