Lester R. Smallidge ’57

Lester Ralph Smallidge, 81, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday evening, Sept. 24, 2017, surrounded by his family. Lester was born in Somesville on Feb. 17, 1936, to Lewis and Mazie (Brown) Smallidge. Lester grew up on Mount Desert Island with his siblings Stella, John, Robert (Niffie) and James. He graduated from the Maine Maritime Academy in 1957, after which he went to work for Farrell Lines Shipping Co. Lester went to sea for 40 years and retired as chief engineer in 1996.

Lester married Inge in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1966, where their two children, Karla and Eric, were born. Home was both in Cape Town and Mount Desert Island until 1977, when they permanently moved to Pretty Marsh. In April, Lester and Inge celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary. Lester was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, brother, uncle and “Opi” and “Gramps” to Lauren, Anna, Evelyn, Bradley, Jeremy and Audrey.

Lester was an active member of the Somesville Union Meeting House and also the Mount Desert Masonic Lodge No. 0140, where he received the 50 Year Masonic Service Medal and where he held the office of Master from 2003 to 2004.

Retirement to Lester meant time with family, his bottling business, his woodworking projects and daily happy hour on his porch from 5-6 p.m.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, at 1 p.m. at the Somesville Union Meeting House/UCC Church in Somesville. Refreshments will be served afterward at the Parish House. Donations in Lester’s memory may be made to the Somesville Union Meeting House/UCC Church at P.O. Box 96, 1134 Main St., Mount Desert, ME 04660.