Douglas C. Lash, 90, of Friendship, passed away peacefully at Cove’s Edge in Damariscotta on March 4 after a long illness.
Born April 14, 1924, Doug was one of 14 children born to Captain Robert S. Lash and Levilda Carter Lash. As a young man he accepted Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. He was a longtime member of the Friendship Advent Christian Church, having served as deacon and in other church leadership roles. He had a special interest in the youth ministries of the church and was very supportive of those ministries. Doug was a role model to his family and friends, sharing his faith and the importance of knowing Christ as Lord and Savior, wanting no one to perish, but for all to have eternal life.
On March 16, 1950, he married Lucille Mank of Rockland and they made their home in Friendship. Doug and Lucille would have been married 65 years this month.
He honorably served his country during the peak of WWII, spending the bulk of his wartime efforts in France and Germany. He was a true patriot with a love and passion for his country. He often referred to the American Flag as ‘Old Glory’ and would show emotion when ‘God Bless America’ or the National Anthem was sung.
After the war Doug returned home and with friends and built his first lobster boat. He fished for lobster for a while and then went into partnership with his brother Winfield, owning and operating Lash Brothers Boatyard. He eventually sold his part of the boatyard to his brother Winfield and then owned and operated D.C. Lash Hardware in Friendship. After selling the hardware store, he operated a small boat shop where he built and repaired boats including dories and cat boats that still grace Friendship Harbor today. He was a fine craftsman who loved to work with wood and he could fix just about anything.
Doug was predeceased by his mother and father; sisters, Eleanor Lash, and Mary Wotton; brothers, Austin, John, Robert Jr., and Harold; sisters-in-law, Loretta Marino, Elsie Bond, and Lucille Newbert; and brothers-in-law, Benjamin Kaler, Alfred Wotton, Harlan Maxcy, and Robert Lane.
He is survived by his wife Lucille Mank Lash of Friendship; sons, Myron Lash and wife Rebecca of Waldoboro, and Richard Lash and wife Theresa of Warren; grandsons, Benjamen Lash and wife Amanda of Cushing, John Lash and wife Sara, and Samuel Lash; the mother of his grandchildren, Viola Lash, all of Friendship; great-grandchildren, Noah, Ava, Austin, Madelynn, Mallory, and Peyton; brothers, Winfield, Paul, Howard, and Philip; and sisters, Carolyn Kaler, Myra Maxcy, and Esther Lane; as well as many nieces and nephews.
A service with military honors will be held at 7 p.m., Mon., March 9 at the Advent Christian Church, 19 Cushing Rd., Friendship, where friends are invited to visit from 5 to 7 p.m. The Rev. Alan Chamberlain will officiating. Interment will be at the Friendship Village Cemetery in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Advent Christian Church of Friendship designated to ‘Youth Ministries,’ PO Box 9, Friendship, ME 04547.
To share a memory or story with Doug’s family, please visit his Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.
Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland.