WATERVILLE – Lester Harold Fitch, 94, of New Sharon, passed away Jan. 5, 2011 at Inland Hospital in Waterville after a long illness.
He was born March 25, 1916 in New Sharon, the son of Albert and Georgia (Etta) Fitch in the home where he spent 89 years of his life. Lester was educated in New Sharon Schools and graduated from New Sharon High School in 1934. On June 22, 1947 he married Anita Florence Oakes in Farmington.
Lester continued watching over the family dairy farm. He was sole caretaker of his parents for nearly a year. Upon the death of his father, Lester and Anita cared for and ran their dairy farm for 35 years. In 2005 they moved to Waterville to live in an apartment in their daughter’s home.
He was a member of the Franklin Lodge 123 A.F.& A.M., a lifetime member of the New Sharon United Methodist Church, a former member of the New Sharon Grange, and a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Lester was a very humble man, a loving, kind father and grandfather, a good friend to all, and dedicated to his work. He took great pride in his family, his home, and his friends.
Lester is survived by his wife Anita of 63 years; his son Brian and his wife Naomi of New Sharon; his daughter Beth Anne of Waterville; grandsons Jesse Lester and Hunter Tyler Collins of Waterville; a very dedicated ex-son-in-law Jay Collins of Winslow; a brother-in-law David McClusky of Jay; and a niece Marjorie Neal of Farmington.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011 at 3 p.m. at Adams~McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Services, 108 Court St., Farmington with funeral and Masonic services immediately following at 4 p.m. with Rev. Karen Garcia and Rev. John Tolman officiating. Interment will take place at Fairview Cemetery in Farmington in the spring. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the New Sharon United Methodist Church, c/o Cindy Pratt, 177 Weeks Mills Rd., New Sharon, Maine 04955 or the New Sharon Masonic Lodge 123 A.F.& A.M., P.O. Box 127, New Sharon, Maine 04955. Those wishing may send online condolences to the family at www.adamsmcfarlane.com
