Lester E. Almeda, 83 of Hudson, NH passed away Friday, November 15, 2013 in the Norwood Hospital, Norwood, MA. He was born April 15, 1930 in Providence, RI, son of the late Daniel C. and Celestina M. (Traverse) Almeda.
He graduated from East Providence High School in 1948 and immediately enlisted in the United States Air Force. A 21 year veteran, he served in post WWII England, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War and received a commendation for his efforts during the Cold War. He served in the USAF in the 1005th Special Investigations Group, as a photographer for the 802nd Strategic Air Command and later as a missile guidance systems inspector. He retired at the rank of Master Sergeant.
A decorated veteran, he received the Army Commendation Ribbon (Pre USAF). USAF Commendation Medal, Joint Meritorious Service Award, Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. After retirement from the USAF, he worked as a quality control supervisor for the US government for Raytheon and Sanders/Lockheed. He continued to work until he was 79 years of age. A 1953 character reference letter from Dr. Craig of East Providence, RI stated "I certainly feel that he was always a straightforward, upright young man, honest in every way, and always exhibited an urge to better himself by hard work."
Lester was active in Scouting when he lived in Seekonk Massachusetts serving as scoutmaster for Troop 1 Seekonk and later as a unit commissioner for the Narragansett Council of the Rhode Island Boy Scouts.
Whether it was by plane, train, or car, he and his wife Sally were ardent world travelers and explorers. His favorite way to see the US and visit their many friends and military "buddies" was to hop in their RV and disappear for months.
From his early youth and first pictures of Central Park in New York with a Brownie camera, as a photographer for 802nd SAC and 544th RECON, his stint as commercial photographer with Adlers of Providence RI, to his last days with a digital Nikon he was forever a photographer at heart. He used to say, "Within any picture you take there is a good picture." He applied this philosophy to his life.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years; Sally A. (Watson-Earle) Almeda of Hudson, a son; Mark G. Almeda and his wife Susan of Walpole, MA, three daughters; Sheri A. Almeda of San Carlos, CA, Marianne Holschuh of Wilmington, VT and Lori S. Ireland and her husband Skip of Pawtucket, RI, a sister; Eileen Lewis of E. Providence, RI, 16 grandchildren; Joseph, Matthew, Lauren, Katherine, Anne, Elizabeth, John, Mary, Luke, Daniel, Trevor, Willow, Maya, Chamois, Zack and Jessie and by three great-grandchildren; Christian, William and Cameron.
Visiting hours will be from 6 to 8 PM Thursday, November 21, 2013 in the Zis-Sweeney Funeral Home, 26 Kinsley St., Nashua. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, November 22, 2013 at 9:30 AM, St. Patrick's Church, 29 Spring Street, Nashua, NH, 03060. Interment with military honors will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery, 71 Derry Rd., Hudson. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the National Parkinson Foundation Gift Processing Center, PO Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5018, the
, 2 Commerce Drive, Suite 110, Bedford, New Hampshire 03110 or
, PO Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220-3049.