Lester C. LaFreniere, 74, formerly of Ellington, died on May 1, 2019 at Baptist Medical Center South in Jacksonville, FL, near the home in St. Augustine, FL that he shared with his devoted wife of 43 years, Merle (Rainford). The only son of the late Charles and Irene (Paquette) LaFreniere, Lester was born in Norwich in 1944 and lived in Connecticut until 2009, including years in Jewett City, Manchester, Hartford, and finally Ellington, where he lived for more than 30 years and raised his family. A graduate of Merrimack College, with a master's degree from Central Connecticut, Lester taught English and American Literature at Rockville High School, and published collections of his own poetry. He loved nature, especially the ocean, playing his guitar, riding his bicycle, crossword puzzles, and the taste of a good cigar. He had a lifelong passion for traveling, having done graduate studies in Scotland and traveled on four continents, but was most of all a voracious reader, especially on the subject of history. More than anything, he loved the family that he leaves behind, including his wife, Merle; his son Owen, daughter-in-law Cara, and grandchildren Charles and Emma, all of Darien; and numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 14th, at 10:30am at St. John Church, 1986 Post Road in Darien. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the , a division of the .