John Gail Borden

John Gail Borden

John Borden, 69, passed away on Tuesday May 26, 2020.

Born on April 4, 1951, he was the son of the late Albert and Virginia (Richmond) Borden. He was the great, great grandson of Gail Borden, founder of The Borden Milk Co., and named for his uncle who skated at the Lake Placid Olympics.

He attended grade school in Newton. Mass., at the Fessiden School; high school at the Berkshire School in Sheffield, Mass.; and graduated from Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla. At Rollins he was an All-American Soccer Goalie and played that same position prior at the Berkshire School.

He continued Borden Realtors that his parents began, until he merged recently with Sotheby’s in Lakeville, Conn.

He loved fine art, fine food and was a man of his community. For almost a decade he provided scholarships for the Housatonic Valley Regional Art Show and was a mentor for many local artists. He sponsored many shows at the Sharon Playhouse and even made an appearance or two as a stage performer. For a number of years he volunteered as a “sherpa” for the Corner Food Pantry in Lakeville and was a member of the People to People Goodwill Tour of Europe as goalie with the American Soccer Team. 

In addition to being an avid skier and sailor, John was certified for Basic Coastal Cruising, Basic Keelboat Sailing and Bareboat Chartering by the American Sailing Association. He won First Prize at the 2010 Vail, Colorado, Pizza Cook Off. He was very fond of the award and it is prominently displayed in his kitchen. He was a notorious foodie, chef and host and loved entertaining his bevy of clients and friends in his home in Lakeville.

John is survived by his longtime partner Cheryl Swift. He is also survived by one brother and sister, Jay Gano and his wife Patti of Colebrook, Conn., and Sue Blackwell of Wilson, N.C. He was predeceased by his brothers Lew Borden, Dave Borden and Bob Gano. He leaves behind many cousins, nieces, nephews and a world of friends who loved and will miss him greatly.

Donations can be made in his name to the Corner Food Pantry of Lakeville, Conn. A celebration of his life will be held in autumn.

Latest News

A scenic 32-mile loop through Litchfield County

Whenever I need to get a quick but scenic bicycle ride but don’t have time to organize a group ride that involves driving to a meeting point, I just turn right out of my driveway. That begins a 32-mile loop through some of the prettiest scenery in northern Litchfield County.

I ride south on Undermountain Road (Route 41 South) into Salisbury and turn right on Main Street (Route 44 West). If I’m meeting friends, we gather at the parking area on the west side of Salisbury Town Hall where parking is never a problem.

Keep ReadingShow less
Biking Ancramdale to Copake

This is a lovely ride that loops from Ancramdale north to Copake and back. At just over 23 miles and about 1,300 feet of elevation gain, it’s a perfect route for intermediate recreational riders and takes about two hours to complete. It’s entirely on quiet roads with little traffic, winding through rolling hills, open countryside, picturesque farms and several lakes.

Along the way, you’ll pass a couple of farmstands that are worth a quick visit. There is only one hill that might be described as steep, but it is quite short — probably less than a quarter-mile.

Keep ReadingShow less
Taking on Tanglewood

Aerial view of The Shed at Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass.

Provided

Now is the perfect time to plan ahead for symphonic music this summer at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts. Here are a few highlights from the classical programming.

Saturday, July 5: Shed Opening Night at 8 p.m. Andris Nelsons conducts the Boston Symphony Orchestra as Daniil Trifonov plays piano in an All-Rachmaninoff program. The Piano Concerto No. 3 was completed in 1909 and was written specifically to be debuted in the composer’s American tour, at another time of unrest and upheaval in Russia. Trifonev is well-equipped to take on what is considered among the most technically difficult piano pieces. This program also includes Symphonic Dances, a work encapsulating many ideas and much nostalgia.

Keep ReadingShow less
James H. Fox

SHARON — James H. Fox, resident of Sharon, passed away on May 30, 2025, at Vassar Brothers Hospital.

Born in New York, New York, to Herbert Fox and Margaret Moser, James grew up in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. He spent his summers in Gaylordsville, Connecticut, where he developed a deep connection to the community.

Keep ReadingShow less