Lester Hoyt Watson was born 30 April, 1918 in Brookline, MA, to the late Lester Watson and the late Katharyn Hoyt Watson.

Lester attended Chestnut Hill and Fessenden Schools. He graduated from Noble and Greenough School in 1935 and Harvard College in 1940, where he was a member of the Owl Club, DKE and Naval R.O.T.C. On active duty with the U.S. Navy from 1941 to 1945, Lester commanded USS Submarine Chaser-517, USS SURPRISE (PG-63) and USS BAZELY (DE-2). Under his command, USS SURPRISE escorted USAT EFFIE MORRISEY on supply missions to weather stations in Greenland. He was honorably discharged from the Navy as Lt. Commander. He was employed by Pan American Airways 1945-1948, by Smith, Kline & French Laboratories 1948-61, and by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 1961 until retirement in 1985. He was a volunteer with Coastline Elderly Services 1998-2005 as a Director and member of the Advisory Board.

Lester also held various volunteer positions in the town of Marion over many years.

He was a member of the Brookline Country Club from 1946 to 1995 and the Beverly Yacht Club since 1950, of which he was Commodore from 1973 to 75. Lester was also a Trustee of the Beverly Land Trust from 1955 to 2005 and a Life Trustee of the Sippican Lands Trust. He was a member of the Cruising Club of America since 1975, of which he was post-Captain of the Buzzard's Bay Post from 1996 to 1998. Lester was also a Life Member of the Flower Class Corvette Association and the U.S. Naval War College Foundation.

An avid small-boat enthusiast since his teens, his greatest enjoyment was to be involved in anything that helped expose young people to any form of sailing. He spent countless hours in his boat, "Tarquin," assisting with sailing races in Buzzards Bay for the Beverly Yacht Club.

He is survived by his wife, the former Anne Nagel Sweetser, two sons, Jacob Loring Watson of Portland, Maine and Douglas Homer Watson of Marion, two daughters, Elizabeth Hoyt Watson of Felton, California and Mary Sweetser Watson Hawley (Mrs. Richard A.) of Ripton, Vermont, seven grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

A memorial service is planned at St. Gabriel's Church in Marion on Saturday, November 5 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions would be welcome at the Community Boating Center, Inc., Box 41021, New Bedford, MA 02744.