Volunteers Needed To Search For Missing Elderly Preston Man

PRESTON, CT — A large-scale search is planned for this weekend in hopes of finding an elderly man who disappeared in late October.

Henry Hood, 72, has been missing since Oct. 24, according to state police.

Police searches to date have been unsuccessful. State police said Wednesday, “Efforts to locate him are continuing.”

His family is organizing the upcoming weekend search, which will be Saturday, Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Volunteers are needed. Anyone interested in helping with the search is asked to meet at 13 Doolittle Rd., Preston.

State police described Hood as white, with white hair and brown eyes. He is 6 feet, 2 inches tall, and weighs about 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing blue pajamas.

Troop E state troopers issued a Purple Alert for Hood in October, asking for the public’s help in finding him.

A family member, Kimberly Donahue Boyle, posted on Facebook about the weekend search.

“We are begging for anyone that can come help us search, to please come!!! We need to find Pops!!!” the post states.

Search organizers are planning to comb the woods for a two mile radius around his home.

According to the family, Hood, a Navy veteran, has been diagnosed with dementia.

“He is a husband, who my mother-in-law misses dearly and hasn’t slept without him in over 50 years except for a few hospital stays, and we need to find him and give her answers. He is a father and a grandfather. He is a great man. He is generous, kind, caring, loving and loves his family so much,” the post states. “Now, Pops needs our help. He needs us to find him and bring him home.”

Volunteers are asked to wear orange for the outside layer of their clothing for safety because of hunting season. They also are asked to dress for the weather, with warm clothing and sturdy shoes. Bring fully charged cell phones and if you have them, binoculars.

“Please bring as many people as possible with you. The more the better!!” the post states. “Together we can find Pops and bring him home!!!!”

Anyone who has seen Hood or come into contact with him is asked to contact Troop E at 860-848-6500 or to call 911.