Lester 'Skip' Newhall Jr. ... owned Fisher's Auto Parts

ROCHESTER - Lester "Skip" Edward Newhall Jr., 78, of Rochester, died Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at Frisbie Memorial Hospital after a sudden illness due to complications from COVID-19.

Skip was born April 16, 1943, in Rochester, the son of Lester E. (Sr) and Barbara (Leonard) Newhall. He grew up and was raised in Lebanon, Maine. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patricia (Custeau) Newhall; daughter Patricia Morin, Hopkinton; son Lester E Newhall III (Skip Jr.), Austinville, Va.; son Robert A Newhall, York, Maine. He is also survived by grandson, Kristopher (and Dr. Kathryn Schulte-Grahame) Grahame of Revere, MA; granddaughter Alexandra (Lexi) Grahame of Jamaica Plain, MA; grandson Ian Newhall, Rollinsford, and his beloved great-grandchildren Isaac and Evelyn Grahame of Revere. He was predeceased by his son-in-law, Paul Morin. He also leaves behind many loved ones and friends.

A graduate of Spaulding High School, Skip went on to work at the Carl Wyman Ford Garage and Wyman-Clough Chevrolet. Working at Fisher's Auto Body and Auto Repair since 1965, Skip purchased Fisher's and became Owner in 1986. After 27 years, he decided to retire to work on his newly built dream home. Once the honey-do's were done, he found himself bored. Coming out retirement, Skip then started working for O'Reilly's in Rochester. Driving and delivering gave him the opportunity to remain in touch with those in the business that he loved so well.

Skip was a longtime member, and held many executive roles, of the Maine Obsolete Automobile League. He was also a member of The Early Ford V-8 Club, and the Rochester Chamber of Commerce.

When not working, Skip loved building and restoring antique vehicles, for which his skills were known throughout the Northeast. He had many award-winning designs, with several on display at area museums in Maine. Skip also enjoyed building and running model HO-scale trains with a layout that captivated Isaac and Evelyn, who loved running the trains with "Bumpa". In addition, he enjoyed collecting Lionel tinplate. He could also be found gardening, going for long drives with his wife with no particular destination, and travelling two or more hours in search of new breakfast locations.