🍎Gary Mount, longtime owner of Terhune Orchards in Princeton, has died at 81

🎄Mount transformed a 50-acre farm into a 250-acre agritourism destination

🍷A memorial is set for April 14 at the orchard

PRINCETON — The longtime owner of a Mercer County farm and orchard that had a large impact on agritourism in New Jersey has passed away.

Gary Mount, the owner of Terhune Orchards in Princeton, died on Monday at the age of 81 following a battle with glioblastoma brain cancer, according to an announcement on the orchard’s website. Open year round, Gary and wife Pam bought the 50 acre farm in 1970 and grew it into a 250 acre retail farming operation.

Besides its pies, cider and wine Terhune Orchards is also known for its festivals and events to commemorate the seasons including Halloween, Christmas plus events like its annual Easter Bunny Trail, Blueberry Bash and Wassailing the Apple Trees in January.

The Princeton native graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University in 1966 and married Pam in 1967, according to his obituary.  After spending three years with the Peace Corps in Micronesia in the South Pacific they returned home and bought a then-50 acre farm that would provide a career allowing them to spend time with their family. He is survived by two daughters who manage and operate the farm, a son and six grandchildren.

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Gary Mount, Terhune Orchards

Gary Mount, Terhune Orchards (Kyle Clark, Townsquare Media/Terhune Orchards)

Farmers markets mourn a beloved figure

Gary’s impact on the farming and agriculture in Mercer County was remembered by two farmer’s markets.

“Sad news for the local farming community. Gary was instrumental in the success of the Farmers Market. He will be missed greatly,” the Trenton Farmer’s Market wrote on its Facebook page.

The West Windsor Community Farmer’s Market said Gary was a “tried and true favorite” who still came by to check on his crew and to help restock. They said Terhune would still be attending Saturday’s market.

“A tried-and-true favorite at our market over the past fifteen+ years Gary’s innovation and commitment to farming, marketing, and agritourism is felt far and wide across our great state,” the market wrote on its Facebook page.

A memorial service for Gary will be held on April 14 at 1:30 p.m.at Terhune Orchards. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Jersey Horticultural Society Research Grants  and International Fruit Tree Association Research.

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Terhune Orchards on Cold Soil Road in Princeton

Terhune Orchards on Cold Soil Road in Princeton (Kyle Clark, Townsquare Media)

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Significant or historical events in New Jersey for January (in chronological order)

Here are some of the historical or significant events that happened in New Jersey during January. Is there an event missing? Let us know with an email to dan.alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

Gallery Credit: Dan Alexander