Lester William Noyes

Falmouth, ME—Lester William Noyes died on March 2, 2023, at the age of 91. He was at home with his family by his side. Les was born in Portland, Maine to Earle W. Noyes, Sr. and Helen Sabine Noyes. After graduating from Portland High School in 1949, he attended Portland Junior College, now known as University of Southern Maine.

Throughout school Lester worked for the family moving business. The company started out as an after-hours delivery service handling steamer trunks from Union Station with a borrowed truck. Lester purchased the company from his father in 1970, and grew it into one of the most respected moving and storage businesses in the Northeast. The company is currently celebrating its 100th anniversary. He also served as a Director on the national Board of United Van Lines.

Activities with family and friends included fishing in northern Maine and Quebec, boating on Casco Bay and “hunting” with the North Whitefield Study Club. He was in the US Coast Guard, belonged to a number of business and civic organizations, and served as president of Falmouth Lions Club.

Les used his home workshops to make or repair virtually anything. He loved antique cars and the other wonderful people devoted to that hobby. He served as a Trustee of Owl’s Head Transportation Museum for 31 years. As one of the founding members of Skillins’ Raiders decades ago, he always looked forward to the Sunday antique car tours with his friends and his beloved co-pilot, Tina. The two of them toured all over the Northeast in their antique cars. As recently as last Fall they toured 300 miles driving a 1911 Model T.

Family was the absolute most important thing to him. He spent many hours creating children’s toys and home furnishings for his family; so productive that they created a picture book of his accomplishments. Being able to take his large family on group trips over the years was a source of great pride. The many family celebrations were always fun and chaotic.

Les is survived by Tina, his wife of 69 years. Lovingly known as “Papa”, he was the admired patriarch to 34 offspring and spouses, every one of whom live within ten miles, including his son Peter and wife Lynn, his daughter Karen Reiche and husband Ford, and his grandchildren Betsey (Patrick) Ducas, William (Stephanie) Noyes, Brent (Kristen) Noyes, Sam (Caitlin) Reiche, Laura (Evan) Putnam and George (Sarah) Reiche, and 18 great-grandchildren.

Les was predeceased by his brothers, John, Earle, Jr. and Howard Noyes and his sisters Dorothy Pallotta and Ruth Spaulding.

The family plans to have a private family celebration of life. Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to view Les’s tribute page and sign the online guestbook.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Les may be made to Owls Head Transportation Museum, 117 Museum St., Owls Head, Maine 04854.