LEWISTON – Lester J. Franck, 84, of 1103 Minot Ave., Auburn, died at d’Youville Pavilion on Sunday, Nov. 25, with his family by his side.

He was born in Skowhegan on Dec. 16, 1922, a son of Edouard and Elise (Dionne) Franck. He was a star athlete at Skowhegan High School, where he captained the football and tennis teams. After graduating in 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II, serving in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany before his honorable discharge in October 1945.

He married Helen Kervin on Oct. 5, 1947, at Sacred Heart Church in Waterville. A respected foreman in the shoe industry, he worked at Belgrade Shoe in Auburn for 25 years. Later he worked for Timberland Shoe, Sebago Moc and Cole-Haan before retiring at age 62.

An avid tennis player and golfer, he was a member of the Summit Springs Golf Club in Poland for a number of years, enjoying his regular Saturday foursome with friends Linwood Clements, Jerry Mottram and Jim Smith. He also enjoyed canoeing, snowmobiling, and working on his pride and joy, the family’s summer cottage on Sabbathday Lake.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Helen of Auburn; his sons, Brian of Auburn and Stephen of Lewiston; two daughters, Kathleen Hammond of Auburn and Karen Hodgson and husband, Al, of Garden Grove, Calif.; sisters-in-law, Virginia Gager of Ridgefield, Conn., and Elaine Snow and husband, Kenneth, of Winslow; grandsons, Douglas and Matthew Hammond of Mechanic Falls; a great-granddaughter, Lily Anne Hammond of Mechanic Falls; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents; four brothers, O’Neil, Louis, Adrian and Willard; and two sisters, Loretta Champagne and Lucille Franck.

The Franck family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Michael Boulanger and his staff as well as the nursing and rehabilitation staff at d’Youville Pavilion for their compassion and care.