BEECH HILL – Lester Ray Hartford, 90, passed away peacefully Aug. 7, 2008, at his home. He was born Oct. 30, 1917, in Leeds, the son of Bert and Alma (Glidden) Hartford. Lester’s early years were spent at the family homestead in Leeds, where he learned the value of hard work and independence. His mother was tragically killed when he was 11 years old. At age 15, he left school to help support his family. In 1939, Lester joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, Southwest Harbor. There, he learned the carpentry trade at which he toiled for the rest of his life. While a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps, Lester met Anna O’Brien, who later became his wife. They had a baby daughter, Alma, who died Christmas day in 1940. Lester and Anna built a cozy home on Beech Hill and a lovely camp on Long Pond, where they welcomed family and friends for 56 years. Huge gatherings were common at the Hartfords. Lester loved gardening, fishing, boating, water skiing, snowmobiling, photography, and playing cards. He taught many family members and friends to play cribbage and he challenged them to hotly contested games, even last week! Most of all, he loved woodworking. Many boats, homes, camps, businesses, schools and hospitals were constructed by Lester while he worked at Hinckley’s Boat Yard, Manset and R.L. White and Sons, Hulls Cove. He also worked as a caretaker for numerous camp owners on Long Pond. He made lots of furniture and repaired anything that needed fixing. He recently remarked that his greatest accomplishment was building the wooden framework for the stone bridge over the Eagle Lake Road. Lester was a longtime member of the Somesville Fire Co. He was proud to have fought the Great Fire of 1947. A fire truck was named “Little Les” in honor of him. Lester is survived by a sister-in-law, Mary Worcester and husband, Donald, of Southwest Harbor; nephews, Rodney Hartford and wife, Susan, of Blaine, Reginald Hartford and friend, Michelle, of Sherman Station, Brian Worcester and wife, Bettye, and Scott Worcester and wife, Jennifer, all of Southwest Harbor, Gilbert Reed and wife, Marie, of Carmel, Neal Reed and wife, Shirley, of Florida, and Allen Reed and wife, Carol, of Massachusetts; nieces, Shirley Dyer of Hampden, Carol MacRae and husband, Tom, of Pretty Marsh, Tharon Carmichael of Rockland, and Nancy Chase and husband, Dick, of Vermont; and cousins, Gary Hartford and wife, Patty, and Dennis and Monty Hartford of North Monmouth. He also leaves many great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews. He will be remembered by good friends, Rob, George, Rose, Lurline, Georgia, Bob, Niffie, Jack, Glenice, Judy and Bill; and all his “family” at Tremont Congregational Church. He was predeceased by his wife, Anna, in 1996; his infant daughter, Alma, in 1940; his brother, Chester; his sister, Mabel; and his parents. Friends are invited to call 5:30-7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main St., Mount Desert, where funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, with the Rev. Dr. Wayne Buchanan officiating. Interment will be at Brookside Cemetery, Mount Desert. Those who desire may make contributions in Lester’s memory to Somesville Library Association, P.O. Box 280, Mount Desert, ME 04660 or Brookside Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 99, Mount Desert, ME 04660. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
LESTER RAY HARTFORD
