TOPSHAM — Lesley M. Hobson, 93, of Topsham, died Feb. 13 at Mid Coast Senior Health Center in Brunswick, following a long illness.

He was born Oct. 10, 1919, in Tacoma, Wash., to Louise Walter and Hattie Belle Hobson. He attended schools there and graduated high school in 1937.

Hobson joined the U.S. Navy immediately following high school. He served in both World War II and the Korean War as a chief aerographer’s mate, retiring in 1959 after 22 years of service.

Following his time in the Navy, Hobson worked as a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Cleveland, and lived with his family in nearby Medina, Ohio. In 1969, the family moved to Topsham, where he continued his career as a meteorologist at the weather radar station at Brunswick Naval Air Station until his retirement 10 years later.

Hobson had a longtime love of weather, and became as excited as a schoolchild in anticipation of a big snowstorm. He was always looking up into the sky to study cloud patterns and was in awe of the power of the atmosphere.

He also enjoyed watching NASCAR, a hobby he shared with his wife. His favorite driver was Jeff Gordon. Hobson also liked to garden and putter around his yard doing various projects. He was a Star Trek fan and his favorite character was Data.

Advertisement

There was always a special place in his heart for his many pets, including his cat Butchie, his black Labrador Gypsy, his German shepherd Heidi and his “grand dog” Topaz.

Hobson loved to spend time with his family. He especially enjoyed the summers when the family would rent a cottage on Sebago Lake, and seeing the many family members who would visit there.

Hobson was predeceased by his wife, Alvia Hobson, who died in 2008; a brother, Delmar; a half-sister, Esther; and a son, Howard Lesley Hobson, who died in 1975.

Survivors include two daughters, Mary L. Bort of Topsham, and Barbara E. Gros of Winter Park, Fla.; a sister, Betty Pappas of California; two grandchildren, Bill L. and his wife Jennifer Gros of Ashburn, Va., and Beau E. and his wife Carrie Gros of Nashville, Tenn. Survivors also include several nieces and nephews and his ex-son-in-law, Phillip J. Bort of Hyde Park, Mass., with whom he always maintained a close relationship.

A celebration of his life was held Tuesday at Brackett Funeral Home in Brunswick, with the Rev. Ronald McLaughlin officiating.

In lieu of sending flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Coastal Humane Society, 30 Range Road, Brunswick, ME 04011.

Sidebar Elements


Hobson


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.