Lester C. Wood ’57

Lester Clayton Wood, 80, of Winthrop, died Tuesday July 11, 2017, at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta.

He was the only child of Emerald Jake Wood and Mary Elizabeth Yeaton Wood, born in Winthrop Oct. 5, 1936. He was educated in the Winthrop Schools and graduated in 1954. He went on to graduate from Maine Maritime Academy in 1957 as a Marine Engineer. Over the years, he was active in many sports, playing basketball, baseball and later bowling and golf. He played for the Winthrop Legion Team, Town teams in Readfield, Wayne and the Maine Maritime Academy. In his later years, he was a member of the Spring Brook Golf Club for over 35 years.

The week after he graduated from Maine Maritime, he went to work for Gulf Oil Company on the Gulf Horn. He was drafted as the Chief Engineer on the Ammunition Ship, AE-8 Mauna Loa. He then sailed for several years with United Fruit Company. He worked for Bangor Hydro Electric Company for five years then seven years for Continental Insurance Company as a boiler machinery and elevator inspector. He worked for the Maine Bureau of Labor until his retirement in December of 1995 as Director of OSHA and the Maine Occupational Safety and Health programs. After retirement, Lester spent winters in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

He married Marlene Bailey of East Winthrop in 1957. They had three children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Lester was predeceased by his parents; a son, Timothy Lester Wood; and grandson, Brian Timothy Wood.

He is survived by his former wife, Marlene; his son, Tom Wood, of Farmingdale, his daughter, Tina Wood and her husband, Robert Kus, of Gardiner; three grandchildren, Jennifer Wood of Florida, Evan Kus of Dover, N.H. and Meryl Kus of Boston; and two great-grandchildren, Trent and Jayden, of Florida. He is also survived by a special friend, Alice Gay, who he wanted to thank for all her help and care.

At Lester’s request, there will be no visitation. A graveside service will be held at the Glenside Cemetery in Winthrop, Saturday July 15, 2017, at 10 a.m.

Lester’s family would like to extend a special thank-you to MaineGeneral Hospice and Bridges Home Services and the many friends and family who made it possible for him to live at home as independently as possible over the last few years. You granted Lester a big wish. Thank you.

Arrangements are in the care of Roberts Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop. Memories, condolences, photos, and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.