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Memorial services were held today at St. Augustine Catholic Church for Mark Lester, who was education director at the Museum on Main. Mr. Lester died Tuesday at his home. He was 48.
He was described by friends and family as a very creative, talented man who excelled in teaching history, particularly to children.
Mark was born in Livermore and raised in Pleasanton, attending Walnut Grove, Harvest Park, and Amador Valley High schools before going to St. Mary’s College in Moraga, where he graduated in 1984.
Teaching was Mark’s vocation, and he had students ranging in age from elementary through high school in private schools in the Bay Area and at the YMCA childcare center in Fremont. He came back to his hometown as education director for Museum On Main and the Amador/Livermore Valley Historical Society. Recently he had been promoted to museum manager.
Mark created many valuable programs, including the popular Lark in the Park series, which taught children (and their parents) local history based at individual parks in Pleasanton. His programs for school children visiting the museum also were highly acclaimed.
Many young people also enjoyed the crafts projects he offered on the museum lawn during special events downtown. This summer, Mark split his duties between the museum and the city’s newest park, Alviso Adobe on Foothill Road, where he could share with visitors his love of local history.
Mark brought smiles to many he encountered. He loved Pleasanton. His hobbies included hiking, and collecting hats (which he used in his museum presentations), flags, and coins.
Mark is survived by his mother, Beverly Anglin of Pleasanton; his sons Nicholas and Christian of Modesto and Pleasanton; his daughter Jacquie of Modesto; his brother and sister-in-law Michael and Rosalinda Lester of Fremont and their children, Megan, Shawn, and Jessica, and several cousins.
He was pre-deceased by his father, Lloyd Lester; step-father Bob Anglin; sister Mary, and brother Matthew.
More than 100 attended Saturday’s memorial service at St. Augustine, where he was a member since childhood. Private interment followed the service.
The family suggests memorial donations to Mark Lester Memorial Scholarship, c/o Museum On Main, 603 Main Street, Pleasanton, CA 94566.
The funeral is at 1:00PM at St. Augustine church not 11:30.
Please visit the “In Memory of Mark Gerard Lester” facebook page and post your memories, pictures and videos of Mark.
I am so saddened by the news of the loss of Mark Lester. He was truly magical and full of enthusiasm when sharing Pleasanton history with school children. This truly heartbreaking news for Mark’s family and all of us who had the pleasure of listening to any of Mark’s lively presentations. He will be greatly missed!
According to the AP news a British tabloid reported Saturday that the godfather of Michael Jackson’s three children claims to be the father of the singer’s daughter Paris. The newspaper also quotes Lester, is a 51-year-old former child star known for his lead role in the 1968 movie version of the state show “Oliver!” as saying he’s willing to take a paternity test.In a video interview with Lester broadcast on the News of the World Web site, Lester said he donated his sperm at a London clinic. He said Jackson was married to Debbie Rowe at the time. If you are interested to know more about Mark Lester I have collected some good sites and articles related to him (Photos, Videos, latest news coverage etc.,). Check the link below.
http://markthispage.blogspot.com/2009/08/talented-young-star-of-oliver-mark.html
The post by Sri regarding the Mark Lester involved in the Michael Jackson paternity quandary should be discredited. It is my hope that you are not implying that Mark Lester, the education director for the Museum on Main, and Mark Lester, the former child star of Oliver and godfather to Michael Jackson’s children, are one and the same. If so, shame on you, Sri, for posting such misleading debauchery, and, if not, shame on you for not clarifying your message to point out the similarity in names only.
Jenny – I noticed the same error and reported objectionable content to the PW. Sri is misinformed. PW — Would you consider deleting all 3 of these references to the Sri’s post about the other Mark Lester (without posting the “this comment removed due to….” tags) so that this page can serve as a memorial? Thanks.