Lester Anthony Hashey

SCARBOROUGH,Maine - Lester Hashey wasn't star-struck, standing next to Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, executive producers of the six-time Emmy-winning "Band of Brothers." He was honored that they had told the story.

The 10-part HBO miniseries portrays the men of Company E, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, who nearly 60 years ago put their lives on the line to save the world from tyranny. Mr. Hashey, of Olde Mill Road, died Wednesday at a local hospital. He was 77.

On his 18th birthday, Mr. Hashey quit his job at the shipyards in South Portland and went off to be an Army paratrooper. On June 6, 1944, he arrived in England, just after the 101st Airborne had departed for the D-Day invasion of Normandy. When they returned July 12, he joined a battle-weary E Company as an infantryman. One night in December 1944, shots ripped through a tree, pierced his back and punctured his lung. It was his last day on the battlefield. When Mr. Hashey got out of the hospital, the war was over. But the bond with his comrades remained.

Mr. Hashey and the other members of his division, now fewer than 40, stayed in touch over the years to remember the 180 members who never made it home. He served in the Army for 20 years, retiring as a first sergeant in 1963.

"He was very proud to serve with such an elite group of men," said his wife of 46 years, Anna Perna Hashey. "Over the years, it had always been important to keep that connection alive with his division. They were his home away from home, and he considered them family."

During a reunion in 1988, the author and historian Stephen Ambrose asked Mr. Hashey and his comrades for an interview. And Ambrose's best-seller "Band of Brothers" was born.

Then came the miniseries. An HBO film crew came to Mr. Hashey's door and turned his living room into a studio, listening to World War II as told by Pvt. Hashey. Soon after, Mr. Hashey met Spielberg and Hanks.

In 2000, HBO sent Mr. Hashey and his wife to Paris for the premiere of "Band of Brothers." Mr. Hashey, who was depicted by Mark Huberman, was a bit surprised by how much the movie resembled what had happened. He also thought the actor did an excellent portrayal of him.

"At the Emmys, Tom Hanks walked into a room where Lester was, and said, 'Hey Les, how are you doing?' " said his wife.

Mr. Hashey was competitive by nature and an avid sportsman. His proudest athletic achievement was winning the inter-allied springboard diving championship while serving in Europe.

Mr. Hashey continued his service to people through his work with the American Red Cross. For 45 years, he taught children how to swim, and taught adults how to help those who need emergency care.

"Just as in the service, he always did what he could to help people," said his nephew Jerry Gerhardt.

- Melanie Creamer Portland PressHerald

Lester A. Hashey, 77, died Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2002. He was a born in Bangor on Feb. 23, 1925, a son of Nicolas and Mary Thibeault Hashey of Orono.

In World War II, Mr. Hashey proudly served with E Co. 2/506PIR, 101st Airborne Division and remained in the Army for 20 years, retiring a First Sergeant in 1963.

Les was portrayed as a veteran of foreign wars in the 101st Airborne Division 506, Company E, in the book 'Band of Brothers' written by Steven Ambrose. This was also a television mini-series movie in 2002 with the same title, which won six Emmy's. Mr. Hashey was a local celebrity among news media and schools. He made guest appearances at schools and was featured on many television programs.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Nov 22 2018, 10:29:40 UTC
• Reference: U.S. Social Security Death Index (SSDI) - SmartCopy: Nov 25 2018, 0:55:46 UTC
• Residence: 1930 - Orono, Penobscot, Maine, USA
• Race: White
  • Reference: 1930 United States Federal Census - SmartCopy: Nov 25 2018, 0:56:31 UTC