Thu, 10/31/2019 - 2:15pm

Les Bex

CAMDEN — Captain Leslie E. Bex, Jr., 81, of Camden, passed away on October 19, 2019 at the Sussman House in Rockport.

Born in Ashland, Wisconsin, on November 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 earned his Eagle Scout.

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, Washington, where he started working for Boeing Aerospace, before moving to Laconia, New Hampshire.

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 Captain, sharing his love for the outdoors and sailing.

In 1979, he purchased the Betselma 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, was a U.S. Swimming referee, and servers on the 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; 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 when a memorial memorial service will be announced.

Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting his Book of Memories at longfuneralhomecamden. Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 9 Mountain Street, Camden.