Wesley Austin Lash Sr., of Friendship, died unexpectedly at his home March 25.
He was born in Rockland, Aug. 4, 1945, to Winfield and Barbara Fales Lash. A graduate of Waldoboro High School, he attended SMVTI, where he studied machining.
In 1969 he married Cynthia Richards and raised his family in Friendship.
After college, he started working for his father at Lash Brothers Boatyard, finishing over 200 boats. He took over the boatyard in 1985.
Wesley was very much involved with the Town of Friendship. He started with the fire department at age 19 and was fire chief for 10 years. He also served as a town selectman for many years.
His great love was boat racing. He was involved with the Friendship Boat Races and, with his sons, raced his boat, the Sea Flea. Wesley’s greatest joy was spending every Fourth of July on Friendship Long Island with his family. There, ‘Pup’ enjoyed showing his grandchildren how to do things the ‘old fashioned way.’
Loved by all who knew him, Wesley took great pleasure in offering his advice about anything at coffee time at the boat shop.
Wesley is survived by his wife of 44 years, Cynthia; sons, Wesley and wife Taryn, Sean Lash and wife Angie, all of Friendship, and David Lash and companion Deborah Vannah of Warren; grandchildren, Elizabeth, Brendan, Wyatt, Brooke and Bailey Lash; parents, Winfield and Barbara Lash of Friendship; mother-in-law, Lorraine Duda of Friendship; brothers, Neil Lash and wife Bonnie of Waldoboro, and Irving Lash and wife Willi of Augusta; sisters, Diane Hill and husband Norman, Paulette Hill and husband Ivan, all of Friendship, and Theresa Fullerton of Waldoboro; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Funeral service 1 p.m., Mon., April 1 at the Advent Christian Church, Rt. 97, Friendship. The Rev. Alan Chamberlin will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friendship Fire Department, P. O. Box 207, Friendship, ME 04547.
To share a memory or condolence with Wesley’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.
