Camden, Maine
Captain Leslie “Les” E. Bex, Jr., 81, of Camden, Maine, passed away on Oct. 19, 2019 at the Sussman House in Rockport. Born in Ashland, Wisconsin, on Nov. 24, 1937, he was the son of Leslie and Valeria (Gusneiski) Bex and attended Batavia High School in Illinois, where he was active in football and was an Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts.
Les attended the University of Illinois, majoring in mechanical engineering, and graduated in 1961. Soon after graduation, Les married Ann McDonald on June 24, 1961 and relocated to Seattle, Wash., where he started working for Boeing Aerospace, before moving to Laconia, N.H.
Les fell in love with sailing and the sea while on vacation in Camden. In 1969, he returned to Camden and purchased Maine Windjammer Cruises, including the Mattie (Grace Bailey), Mercantile and Mistress. He spent many years as the captain of these vessels, sharing his love for the outdoors and sailing. In 1979 he purchased the Betselma, a scallop dragger, and continued to spread his knowledge of rope tying and the history of Camden.
Active in the community, Les served as board member of the YMCA, coach of the Sailfish swim club there, was a U.S.A. Swimming referee, and was on ski patrol at the Camden Snow Bowl during the winter months.
A talented circus-model builder, Less owned a circus wagon commissioned by the Circus Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Les also enjoyed displaying his Bex Bros. miniature circus layouts.
Les is survived by his children, Katherine (Steve) Shepard, of Forsyth, Illinois, and Michael Bex, of Owls Head, Maine; grandchildren Elizabeth and Logan Shepard; brother Anthony (Paula) Bex, of Batavia, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews. Interment at sea is planned for the summer of 2020.
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