Steven W. Crone

Steven W. Crone
COLEBROOK, NH - Steven W. Crone, 71, died peacefully at home on March 1, 2025, following an extended battle with cancer. Steve is survived by his wife, Leonarda Joost. Steve was born on February 19, 1954, in Meriden, CT to his late parents Paul R. and Nancy (Ridley) Crone. Following graduation from O. H. Platt High School, Steve graduated from the University of Rhode Island, followed by focused alpine ecology studies at Western Colorado University. While in school, Steve was involved formally in athletics, from his early days in little league and high school baseball and football programs to quarterbacking his college team. Raised in a household where winter mountain sports were held in high regard, Steve became an excellent Alpine skier/racer, the result of his family's proverbial trips each weekend during the winter to Okemo Mountain in Vermont. Steve's love for skiing rubbed off on his hometown friends as well, recognizing from his lead just how much fun skiing can be. Somewhat later in life, he also became involved and advanced in the Nordic winter sports, including cross country and particularly, telemark skiing. After his educational pursuits, Steve traveled extensively throughout the country, exploring remote areas from Florida to Alaska. Steve's love for nature and need to connect closely with the environment was a driving force throughout his life. He was particularly drawn to northern New England, establishing homesteads with his wife in southern Maine and northern New Hampshire. An early passion that defined Steve's life was running a bed and breakfast (Telemark Inn Wilderness Lodge) in Bethel, ME, with guests participating in outdoor adventures, including llama treks, horseback riding, nature walks and his absolute favorite activities, dog-driven skijoring and mushing as part of his New England Dogsledding business. Both enterprises were featured in newspapers, magazines, online videos, and television news programs over the years.
Steve's lifelong relationship with dogs gave him much joy, a remarkable bond that all friends and family recognized was part of his fabric, one based on unconditional friendship and love for one another. Steve's devotion to animals extended well beyond his dogs, including the cats he rescued later in life, and many llamas, horses, and goats considered members of his extended family. His interest in the natural world knew no bounds as well, being a committed observer, ecologist, and conservationist-Steve was an active and vocal proponent for healthy ecosystems, both flora and fauna. He projected a simple vision in life, using the medium of outdoor adventure as a vehicle for connecting people to nature in a tangible and meaningful way, with all embracing his enthusiasm and parting with their own commitment to protecting our natural resources.
In addition to his wife, Steve is also survived by his brothers Paul Crone and Eric Crone, sister Susan Berry (Jonathan), aunt Lorna Bolger, uncle Peter Ridley (Ann), nephews Robert Berry and Jonah Berry (Shaelen), and several cousins. Heartfelt thanks and much gratitude to David Pill and Hillary Maharam for their friendship and generosity that helped Steve undertake newer innovative therapies for combating cancer. Many thanks to anticancer researcher Dr. Young Hee Ko for her invaluable knowledge and compassionate guidance throughout Steve's long-term fight against the disease.
Arrangements are in care of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, 103 Main St., Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be submitted online at www.jenkinsnewman.com.
A celebration of Steve's life will be announced at a later date.