Lester W. Hodgdon Jr., 89, of Westport Island, died March 25, 2015 at St. Andrews Village, Gregory Wing, Boothbay Harbor.

Born in Wiscasset on August 16, 1925, he was the son of Lester W. Hodgdon Sr. and Helena Higgins Hodgdon.

He served in the U.S. Army from September 1950 until September 1952. He was employed for 37 years at Bath Iron Works as a shipfitter until his retirement in 1989.

Lester enjoyed his flower and vegetable gardens (which he started from seed in his greenhouse) and he loved mowing the lawn. He was known by many for his delicious homemade ice cream. He not only liked making it, he loved eating it as well.

His other favorite activity was taking long drives along "the scenic highways," as he called them, or the back roads of Maine and New Hampshire.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 45 years, Ruth Blakely Kinney Hodgdon; brothers, Carl, Alfred, Paul and Robert Hodgdon; and sisters, Genevieve James and Lorean O'Hara.

He is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Per his request, there will be no service. A private burial will be in the family cemetery on Westport Island in early summer. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 7, Edgecomb, ME 04556.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta. Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting: www.stronghancock.com.