Lester Joseph Tarbell

Lester Joseph Tarbell age 94 years died in his East Walpole, Massachusetts home on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Born in Merrill, Maine on March 5, 1917, he was the son of the late Herbert J. and Mae B. (Brown) Tarbell. He graduated from Merrill High School with the class of 1933 and went on to graduate from Ricker Classical Institute with the class of 1934. He continued his educatuion at the University of Maine at Orono and graduated with his degree in engineering with the class of 1938. Mr. Tarbell proudly served his country in the United States Army during World War II. He has been a resident of East Walpole for the past 70 years.

Mr. Tarbell worked as an engineer for Bird and Son Inc. and was in charge of pulp and paper. After retiring from Bird and Son, he continued private consulting and worked for CT Main Engineering and Stone & Webster Engineering.

He served the Town of Walpole as a member of the School Committee, Personel Board, Conservation Committee, and as a Selectman. In addition, he was the first RTM member of Precinct 1.

Mr. Tarbell enjoyed watching and playing sports. He played softball at Bird and Son, was a member of the Walpole Norwood Softball Hall of Fame and was a founding member of the Walpole Little League.

He was a member of the Union Congregational Church in East Walpole and was a Deacon Emeritus.

Mr. Tarbell was a member of the Free Masons Island Falls, Maine Lodge. He enjoyed playing golf, dancing, hunting, and fishing.

Beloved husband of the late Hazel R. (Randall) Tarbell. He is survived by his four children and their spouses, Joe and Patty Tarbell, Nancy and Ken Farris, Betsie and Bill Smith, and Stephen and Donna Tarbell all of Walpole. He was "Grampie" to Maureen and Steve Chase, Christine and Doug Cantrell, Meredith and Tim McCabe all of Walpole and Karen and Mike Vasquez of Medfield; Leslie Farris and Kevin Morton of Pepperell, Meghan Farris and Bucky O'Hare of Quincy, Matthew Farris of East Walpole; Michael and Laura Smith of Foxboro, Lindsay Smith and Courtney Smith of East Walpole. He was "Great Gimpy" to ten. Brother of the late Allan Tarbell.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend the funeral service in the Union Congregational Church 55 Rhoades Ave. E. Walpole on Friday, February 17, 2012 at 11:00 AM. Visiting hours are Thursday, February 16, 2012 from 3 to 7PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home 48 Common St. Walpole. Interment will be in Terrace Hill Cemetery in South Walpole. Memorial donations may be made to: Walpole Little League P.O. Box 551 Walpole, MA 02081.