RAYMOND — Charles Frederick “Duce” Lester, Jr. passed away after a long illness with Alzheimer’s disease on Oct. 7, 2010.

He was born in Boston, Mass. on June 29, 1944, the son of Charles Frederick Sr. and Marjorie Welch. He lived most of his life in Raymond.

He was educated in Raymond schools, North Yarmouth Academy, the University of Maryland, and the University of Arizona. Duce also served with the United States Air Force for four years.

He married Louise Knight Hartley in Raymond on June 11, 1966 after a courtship, which began when they were in grammar school. They made their home in Raymond after a short time in Arizona allowing him to attend the University of Arizona.

Duce was always known for his kindness and generosity as well as a love of pranks and horseplay. Duce used his creative talents in his work first with shoeing horses, then fine welding and blacksmithing. Utilizing his creative blacksmithing skills, Duce ran his own business which included work on Stephen King’s wrought iron fence around his home in Bangor and the wrought iron work around One City Center in Portland. He ended his career by working with computers after his heart implant kept him from the welding profession.

For much of his life, he supported and assisted with Louise’s passion for horses, which transferred to his daughter Charlotte’s love for them as well. In that vein, he founded the New England Farrier School where he taught horseshoeing. He was instrumental in forming the Maine Quarter Horse Association and the Maine Quarter Horse Racing Association.

He leaves his wife Louise; his daughter Charlotte Hartley Jewell; a granddaughter; his son James “Joe” Lester; sister Elizabeth Poole; brother Peter Alexander Lester; and a niece.

A graveside memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Hall Funeral Home, Casco.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Duce’s memory may be made to: The Alva Clough Scholarship Fund, c/o Town of Raymond, attention finance director, 401 Webbs Mills Road, Raymond, ME 04071.