Seaway Trail President Mitchell Passes

Sad news spread quickly this morning across the Seaway/Great Lakes region as Seaway Trail President and Clayton resident Teresa Mitchell passed away.

Known for making the Seaway Trail an American Byway and sharing with others all of the many things our region had to offer, Mitchell led the way in tourism.

Mitchell was a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC). From 1972 to 1986, Mitchell marketed the 1000 Islands international tourism destination for the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority. She helped her mentor Dr. Vincent J. Dee, Sr. develop the concept for the Seaway Trail scenic byway and became the first Executive Director of the Seaway Trail Corporation in 1986. The route was named a National Recreation Trail in 1990-91 and a first-round National Scenic Byway in 1996.

Mitchell was influential in the development of New York State Scenic Byway legislation in 1991.

For her service to New York State tourism, she was awarded the I Love New York Individual Achievement Award by the New York State Economic Development agency. She led the $1.9 million renovation of the historic Union Hotel in Sackets Harbor into the Seaway Trail Discovery Center and Gift Shop that opened in July 2000. Mitchell also championed theme-based byway tourism and the development of quilting as cultural heritage tourism travel theme and created the Great Lakes Seaway Trail Quilt Show held each March in Sackets Harbor. She had recently completed her War of 1812-style quilt for the March 17-18 show.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11am. Saturday, January 28 at St. Mary’s Church, Clayton. Calling hours will be 2-4pm and 7-9pm, Friday, January 27 at Cummings Funeral Service, Clayton. Contributions may be made in Teresa’s honor to the Seaway Trail Foundation, PO Box 660, Sackets Harbor, NY 13685; Hospice of Jefferson County, 425 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601; the Clayton Rotary Club, PO Box 295, Clayton, NY 13624, or to a charity of one’s choice.

On a personal note, Teresa and I spoke many times on the phone and through email as I organized Sailing Seaway Clayton and each time we talked about how we should go to the Kove for a cup of coffee to chat. Its unfortunate that day never came.