Lee, Maine - Lester O. Delano, 102, went home to be with his Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on Sept. 26, 2022, with family holding his hands. He was born in Lee, Maine on January 18, 1920, the son of Fred and Fern Delano of Lee, Maine.

He was the middle child with four siblings. He graduated from Lee Academy in 1939 and left college and enlisted in the U.S. Army-Air Corps on December 31, 1941. Lester served with the 12th Bomb Group, 82nd Squadron as a radio operator and waist gunner aboard a B-25 Mitchell. He flew 55 combat missions over North Africa and was awarded a number of honors including the Air Medal and a Presidential Citation.

Upon his discharge on September 15, 1945, he returned to his beloved hometown of Lee marrying Shirley Webster on June 6, 1945. They were parents of four children - Marie Kurtz of Pennsylvania, Darryl Delano of Waterboro, Sheila Leighton of Lincoln, and Fred Delano of Troy. He worked as a potato farmer but ultimately worked as a carpenter for the greater part of his life. He and his coworker, Wayne Bartlett, built or renovated many buildings in the Lee area including building the town post office as well as renovating Mallett Hall and the Lee Museum. He worked well into his eighties marking furniture and cutting boards. He was a selectman of Lee for a number of years serving also as first selectman. He lost the love of his life, Shirley Delano, on May 3, 2017, after nearly 72 years of marriage but kept himself busy visiting folks. He was known around the Lee area for his generous giving of Hershey Kisses, Reese's peanut butter cups, and bags of oranges. Serving others was very dear to his heart as he enjoyed his church family at Lee Baptist Church practicing his faith in and outside those beloved walls, part of which he built. Often, he said "Love God, love your family, love your country."

Lester left behind his four children and their spouses, 12 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren. He was dearly loved and will be missed, so his family is celebrating his life on Oct. 8, 2022, at Lee Baptist Church at 3 p.m. All are welcomed to join us. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Lee Baptist Church and/or The House in the Woods. Messages of condolence may be expressed at Lester's Book of Memories at lamsonfh.com.