Industry mourns Pleasant View Gardens founder Jonathan Huntington

The Huntington family and Pleasant View Gardens family have released a statement: "It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we share that our founder, Jonathan Huntington, passed away peacefully on Friday, Dec. 8 at the age of 95."

"Huntington, affectionately known as "Papa Jon," founded Pleasant View Gardens with his late wife, Eleanor, along with sons Jeff and Henry. The company recently celebrated its 47th anniversary on Dec. 1. With his entrepreneurial drive, Huntington wanted to provide the best products and services to customers in northern New England. Supplying quality foliage and flowering plants in the 1980s led to other opportunities, such as starter plants, plugs, and liners, culminating in 1992 with a collective group founding Proven Winners. Even after his official retirement, Papa Jon remained active at Pleasant View for many years.

"He loved the horticulture industry and was involved in Bedding Plants International (BPI) and several regional and state associations while making the annual trip to Columbus, Ohio, in July for Ohio Floriculture Association Short Course, now called Cultivate. In addition to our great industry, he was also involved with his church, civic boards, and other organizations. His greatest love was for his family: his sons who worked beside him; his grandchildren who grew up next door; his many great-grandchildren; his daughter Anne, who became an accomplished nurse; and his beloved wife, Eleanor.

"Papa Jon was proud of the legacy he built with the Huntington Family and the dedicated Pleasant View Family. He will be missed by many for his humor, wit, work ethic, and friendship.

"Calling hours will be held Friday, Dec. 15, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Bennett Funeral Home located at 209 Main St., Concord, New Hampshire. The family will be holding a celebration of life in the gardens in Loudon, New Hampshire, in June 2024.

We will miss him greatly and will forever cherish the fond memories."