Kenneth Allen Lester

Kenneth Allen Lester, 78, of Columbia, CT, died of complications from coronary artery disease on November 7, 2011. He was born in Colchester, CT on November 19, 1932 to the late Robert and Evelyn Lester. He is survived by Carolyn (Williams) Lester, his loving wife of 32 years. In addition to his wife he leaves his son Warren Lester and his daughter Cheryl Blum. He was predeceased by his brother Brian Lester and leaves a brother Lee Lester and his wife Joan, and a brother Curtis Lester and his wife Donna. He adored his granddaughter, Julie Blum, with whom he shared a great love of music. He also leaves several dear cousins, nieces and nephews. Ken was a graduate of East Hampton High School, and earned a bachelor's degree in French and a master's degree from the University of Connecticut and a doctorate of education from Boston University. He taught at Suffield High School for nine years, and was the foreign language consultant at the Connecticut State Department of Education for 27 years. He founded the Connecticut Council of Language Teachers (COLT) and had a lifelong love of world languages. He loved classical music and enjoyed being the first president of the Hop River Chamber Music Board of Directors. A man of great faith, he was highly active at the Andover Congregational Church where he held positions as deacon and treasurer and enjoyed singing with the choir for many years. He was given recognition for his 50 year membership as a Mason, and of this he was very proud. He loved living on Andover Lake and then Columbia Lake, fishing, watching birds and wildlife, gardening and taking great pride in his tomatoes and roses, but caring about family and friends was most important to him. He also really loved his cat, Chatty. Calling hours will take place at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson Street, (Route 195) Willimantic, CT, Friday, November 11, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm with a Masonic service taking place at 7:30 p.m. Friends and family are invited to the burial which will take place on Saturday, November 12, at 9:30 am at the Marlborough Cemetery on Route 66 in Marlborough, CT, followed by a Memorial Service at the First Congregational Church, UCC, Andover, CT at 11:00 am, corner of Route 6 & Long Hill Road, Andover. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Andover Congregational Church, P.O. Box 55, Andover, CT 06237. For an online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .