Lester Wayland Barber Jr., a longtime resident of Stoughton, passed away on Saturday March 13, 2010 at The Copley At Stoughton Nursing Facility. He was 96 years old and the beloved husband of 69 years to Charlotte ( Caddell ) Barber. He is survived by his three children, Lester “ Way “ Wayland Barber III of Cambridge, Pamela C. Conrad and her husband Aubrey of Fort Meyers, Florida and Sandra A. “ Sandy “ Barber of Stoughton. Other survivors include his two granddaughters, Kristen “ K.C.” Conrad and Amy Leigh Conrad both of Quincy.
Born July 11, 1913 in Newport, Rhode Island, Mr. Barber was the loving son of the late Lester Wayland Barber Sr. and Jesse ( Laurie ) ( Barber ) Marden. He attended Stoughton Public Schools.
Lester was employed as a delivery driver for the former A&P Grocery Store in Stoughton prior to his very successful and productive 64 years working as a machinist / tool maker for the Fred C. Phillips Co. also in Stoughton. He officially retired in the year 2000 at the age of 85.
Prior to his passing, Mr. Barber was the eldest brother of the Rising Star Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M. in Stoughton. Lester was elected Secretary of the lodge in December of 1971 and served in that capacity for another ten years. He and his wife Charlotte were also very active with meal preparation for the monthly lodge meetings. They both were also very active in the Stoughton Order Of Rainbow Girls.
Lester was also a former Precinct 1 Town Meeting Representative and a member of the former I.O.O.F. ( International Order Of Odd Fellows) in Stoughton. He was also noted for his meticulous landscaping and gardening skills around his modest colonial home on Central Street. Other interests include being a handyman/ carpenter/ electrician. He was also an avid Boston Red Sox fan and along with his wife and children enjoyed many a trip out west to such states as Wyoming, Montana, Arizona, Washington State and Oregon. He also attended The First United Methodist Church Of Stoughton.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday March 18, 2010 from 4 P.M. - 7 P.M. in The Sheehan, Lowe and Powers Funeral Home, 115 Monk Street, Stoughton. A Masonic Service will be held at 7:30 P.M. and his funeral service will follow at 8 P.M. The Rev. Althea V. Jackson, officiating. All are welcome to attend. Cremation to follow and interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lester’s memory can be made to the Stoughton Fire Department, Donation Fund, C/O Fire Chief David M. Jardin, 1550 Central Street, Stoughton, MA 02072.