Lester Smith, 81, Bradenton, died Aug. 5, 2004. He was born June 26, 1923, in Portland, Maine, and came to Bradenton in 1985 from Avon, Conn. He retired as an art director and historian and had worked for Travelers Insurance, Hartford, Conn. He received a bachelor's degree from Bates College and graduated from the School of Arts in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. He was a Navy veteran and a member of VFW Local 10141 in Bradenton. Survivors include his wife, Frances of Bradenton; daughters Debra Curtis of Princeton, N.J., and Alitha Young of San Francisco; sons Christopher and Stephen of Virginia, Daniel of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Steven Young of Gloucester, Maine; a sister, Dorothy Hancock of Tampa; a brother, Neal of San Francisco; and eight grandchildren. A memorial service will be private. The Good Earth Crematory in Bradenton is in charge. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238; or Alzheimer's Association, Manatee/Sarasota Chapter, 1230 S. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota, FL 34239.