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We were all honored to know Lester. Throughout his life, he was a champion for his people. Lester dedicated himself to a life of service to others. He lived Iñupiat values and fought to maintain our way of life. – Marie Greene, president of NANA Regional Corporation, Inc.
Lester was a respected colleague and great friend. –Helvi Sandvik, president of NANA Development Corporation
Lester will be remembered, always, for his tireless energy, his kind actions, his generous heart and his sense of humor. We invite you to share your stories and memories. Your comments might be edited for length or content.
My heart was deeply touched when I heard of his passing. Lester was always available to talk. His warm greetings will be missed.
I have gone out on a caribou hunt with him. He was a great hunter and greatly cared for his Iñupiat brothers.
My deepest thoughts and prayers for Grace and family, Warren
I’ve had the extreme pleasure of getting to know Lester since he first came to my office at NANA Pacific about ten years ago. Through Lester we learned about family history and ancestors by responding to simple questions. He would ask, “Who are your grandparents?” “Where were you born?” “Where did you grow up?” I sent a picture of my biological father to him and he kept it in his briefcase always.
He was always cordial, upbeat and courteous. I served Lester a muffin and some tea a few weeks ago while he was waiting in our office. He enjoyed it intently. It made me feel good. He offered his time and always extended a warm handshake or a hug and a story from his many travels.
Your dedication and drive is inspiring in so many ways. You were a joy to be around. I will miss you dearly, friend.
- Patty
On my flight home, I saw Lester and a group of NANA board members. They were going home from the NOSI grand opening on the slope. He saw bunch of us going to Selawik, and he said to Krystal Ballot, “Did you know Elsie Dexter is my sister?” He said that proudly. He certainly was proud of where he came from. He was very happy to be going home.
My condolences to Grace, to the children and to the village of Buckland. Lester served them well and proudly during his business meetings. God bless.
Lester and I happened to sit together quite often at Board dinners. I found out about his interest in Les Paul and a few other surprises. One night he said to me, while a few of us were at the table, “You look like that cowboy, you know, from that movie ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ – Paul Newman.” Lester was always the best person to sit next to in meetings.
My condolences to the family, especially Lani, a family friend. Lester will truly be missed. He was a true example of how we need to live up to our Iñupiaq values. We will always remember Lester and honor his legacy. Prayers and thoughts are with you.
Annette Zella
Shareholder Development
I am so thankful for all the hard work, and all that he accomplished. He was a good worker and an awesome uncle. I told him once, “Uncle you are like a celebrity; you sure know lots of people and lots of people sure know you.” He smiled and said yah. He had a good way of saying “Yeaaw.” I looked up to him and Grace for all they did and still do. Always announcing on the VHF saying, “We have oil to give, bring your containers.” His table was always full with food ready to share.
All the lengthy speeches he gave made me understand the gratitude he had for all of us. I love you Auntie Grace. You’re my role model. I sure love you. GOD IS GOOD.
Lester Hadley, Sr. will be greatly missed by all! Condolences going out to the family.
- Wanda Custer
I would like to thank everyone who helped since hearing of Les’s passing. I am so amazed at all that NANA did for the family. I will always be grateful for every smile, hug and help that was bestowed to Grace and her family. Please continue the prayers. Taikuu.
Lester was a member of the Board of Directors of DOWL HKM and became the Chairman several years ago. In addition to his official duties, Lester was always our biggest cheerleader and he encouraged us to not singularly focus on the things in the company that needed to be fixed, but to take time to think about what we have accomplished. That is the way Lester saw the entire world. I admired his optimism, his humble perspective, and his curiosity to learn. He could make friends in any environment. He will be missed, but not forgotten.
My dad was a great and honorable man. He worked hard all his life, whether it be subsistence or business. He also had a passion for basketball. He once said to my brother, “I was the best to ever play the game.”
I miss my dad. There are no words that can describe how it is to lose such a generous and inspirational figure. He always put a smile on everyone’s face. He treated people the way he wanted to be treated. I’m sure anyone who has met him will deeply miss “Bruce Lee’s cousin.”
I am so thankful for such a wonderful father and a strong family.
Today is Saturday, and seven days ago was the funeral. It’s been 12 days now, and I’m being strong for our family and myself.
Father’s Day was the last time I saw you and I was the last person you made breakfast. I guess that last meal was your goodbye to me. I regret all the times you had to holler and scold me. I’m going to miss you; talking to your sisters, brothers, friends and others about me, telling them that I’m getting too tall.
I can imagine you in heaven looking young as can be, dressed all in white and glowing so bright and tearing with smiles looking down at everyone you love. I know you’re happy up there, being with your parents, Mama and Papa. Dad, I will always just think you’re on a long NANA meeting, going everywhere.
I miss and love you in many ways.
Your son, Lyle Joe “Taguiq” Hadley
Lester never met a stranger. He had that unique ability to go up to anyone and say, “Hi. I’m Les Hadley from the village of Buckland, Alaska.”
He loved listening to music. He would sit and listen to live music any chance he got.
We are surely going to miss him. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mamie
I remember the first time I met Lester. It was at an informal shareholders meeting here in Anchorage. I was a freshman in college. There was an empty seat next to him, so I took it. When it came time for comments, I whispered to him, “I only get $200 a semester for scholarships, that’s only enough for a book or two. I wonder if they will give more this year.” He replied, “Stand up and ask them.” I was scared to stand up, so I didn’t. After a couple more people asked questions and made comments, he urged me to stand up again. I finally built the courage to do so, and I told the crowd what I received for scholarships and asked the president, Charlie Curtis, if they were going to increase the amount. Lester whispered to me, “Don’t ever be afraid to ask questions, this is your corporation. And good luck in school.”
I had no idea who he was until later.
I got to know him a lot better this past year in board meetings, tours and just talking in the halls at NANA. He was always entertaining. He had the funniest things to say and he was always positive. He had that encouraging voice the people of NANA needed to hear at times.
His courage, dedication, humor and leadership will be greatly missed. Here’s to continuing in his footsteps.
God bless his family and friends. My prayers are with you all. Taikuu.
Our dad. Your friend. Lester Tuŋŋaq Hadley, Sr., was Number One at everything. To hear all the great things people have to say about him makes me get butterflies.
On July 21, 2010, God has taken him as an angel. My brothers Lyle, Justin, Lenny and I were there and didn’t even know, until Lyle Joe finally said something. We all thought he was just tired; he would usually be awake by 7-7:30. No coffee or nothing that morning.
He is dearly missed by all of us. We share him with you.
And Dad, we will always remember you.
The Walton and Mills families will miss Lester. When he came over to Noatak, he always stayed at Mom’s and did things for her. I’m thankful we got to know the Hadleys. Our prayers go to Grace and the family.
I was well acquainted with Lester Hadley, Sr., in our home town of Buckland, Alaska. Lester was loved and shall be missed by all who knew this kind man. I know that Lester has worked hard for many things in his life. He encouraged a lot of young adults during his years of service to NANA and gave a helping hand to those who least expected it.
Lester always had something to say to encourage me. One time Lester heard me playing the guitar, he told me, “Young man, who showed you how to play the guitar?” I told him Nelson Lee, Sr. He said, “No wonder it sounds so good.” I was only 17. Oh, how I wish he could see me learning how to play the bass.
When we lost someone in our community, Lester and I would be the first ones at the grave site to help dig, sometimes with little help. We would work all morning, eat lunch at the grave site and we’d sometimes be the last to leave. We’d laugh at each other and talk about who worked the hardest. We passed the time with him telling stories. It was hard work, especially in winter, when the ground is frozen and the digging is hard. Lester always had words that would comfort us during those hard times. One year while we were digging, he pulled me aside and we looked to the back country side of the grave site across the Buckland River. He told me how beautiful it would be to overlook the countryside.
The last memory I had of Lester was at the grave site, again in Buckland. He said, “Whenever you dig a grave for someone, it’s always hard to picture your loved one or family member who will be put away. Remember that they taught us very well while they were here with us. All we have to do is keep those memories alive, to use that knowledge every day and to pass it on to our children and our children’s children.” He told us how blessed we were to be together, to help in the community and encourage each other.
Grace, it was an honor to have known your husband. The Hadley family, I am sorry for your loss and may God comfort and give you peace. Thank you NANA for having this to help us share memories of Lester. Thank you.
Greetings to all friends, and respectfully and especially to Lester’s family.
Everything I’ve read that has been posted was and is very true. I got to know Lester well enough during my husband Robbie’s board of director terms. They traveled together and sometimes Grace and I were able to journey along with them. I can tell you, there never was a dull or depressing moment when Lester was in the picture. Lester was always able to “break the ice” very easily, which is not easy for most Iñupiat, anywhere.
Lester always asked about our kids and would genuinely wish them luck in sports and in school. He was always concerned about the well-being of others. My kids were saddened to hear of the loss, especially Lester’s “Bart” Brett. We will all miss him and will keep his memory alive in our hearts and minds.
God bless and keep the Hadley and NANA family strong.
I grew up in the small village of Shungnak. I’d seen Lester around town quite a few times and my dad finally introduced me. Lester told my dad, “I didn’t know you had a daughter this old.” Hahaha. I was old only for that minute.
I loved going to meetings when Lester was present. I loved hearing his stories. At WHPacific in Washington state – I believe this was his second to the last business trip – he told a story about this big, big beaver dam, as high as a football field. In front of those nalaugmiis, he said that he would eat beaver every day for many years.
Grace, Lucy and the rest of the Hadley family, I send my deepest sympathy and condolences to you. Pray without ceasing.
Ali
Taikuu Taŋŋaq, for being such an inspirational Iñupiaq leader. You always had a warm smile, hug and handshake. For those of us at the NDC offices in Anchorage, you generously filled our bellies with niqipiaq. The taste of home was good for my soul.
You will be greatly missed, Taŋŋaq. My prayers are with you and your family.
Tasha Nasrauyaaq Ryder
Kotzebue/Anchorage
What a great man – not only for NANA and the people of the NANA region, but for all he knew and worked with throughout the world.
I remember when we opened the businesses in the Washington D.C. area, Lester came into the office and immediately started “working” the halls with all of the employees. By the time our meetings started, Lester knew everyone in the office and they knew him. What a great talent he had to put everyone at ease and shatter many myths about Eskimos from Alaska who would now own their destiny.
I considered him a great friend. It was an honor to know him and to report to him at NANA. He truly had a “nose” for business and what it took to make business, and life, successful. I, along with all of the NANA family, will miss him.
Shelby Stastny
My prayers and thoughts for Lester’s family and for everyone at NANA whose life he touched. He thought of everyone he met as family. I read through every comment on this web site. What a legacy for everyone to emulate.
D.Gale
Vermont
Lester visited our area several times (that I remember). He was truly a great person and represented our shareholders in a way that makes me proud to say I work for an Alaska Native Corporation. He will be sorely missed, and the thing that stuck out most to me about him was his sense of humor!
God bless him and his family. He will be missed and remembered.
I first met Lester when I was working at the front desk at NDC. He would call and ask about the weather and how I was doing and of course we would talk about fishing. We always had a great conversation. When I moved away from the front desk, he came and found me and wanted to see how my new job was. He was a great man and friend to me. He always treated me like belonged, even though I was not from the region.
We will all miss him and I will never forget him. I was honored to have him as my friend. God bless him and his family.
Taikuu,
Qichaq
Three months ago I was rehired by Red Dog and I remember the joy I saw in your eyes, Dad, when I told you. Though I disappointed you many times, I am glad that I brought joy to you one last time. I think about what you told me that last time I went out to Red Dog. “Do good and be on time; you’ll work there another 20 years.”
Here’s to another 20 years at Red Dog. Dad, I love you.
Thanks to NANA, his friends and the shareholders for bringing joy to us in these tough times. Taikuu!
I had the privilege to serve with Lester on the NANA board. We went through some hard times, but we persevered through it all. Through all these years we kept going to meetings. We made sure our families never went hungry; subsistence hunting was our #1 priority. We kept our freezers full of Native foods for our families.
Lester and I went to high school together. Some weekends while we were at school he’d talk about going home to hunt, but he told me we had to finish high school. We went hunting every spring in the 60s and 70s. At Elephant Point, we hunted beluga. We would never give up hunting for our families, as we both had big families waiting at home.
We will miss Lester at all the meetings we went to together. My prayers to his family to keep up the tradition of Native food gatherings. Keep your heads up. You are one voice, but with help from others around you, you can accomplish a lot.
God bless!
I’m so grateful to have called Lester my oldest brother.
One thing I’ll always remember was when my youngest son and I were traveling back to Selawik. I saw Lester at Bering Air and he said, with a big smile on his face, to this lady who sat beside him, “This is my baby sister, Carrie Kolhok from Selawik.” Oh, how I felt that day, I can’t explain!
I miss him so much, but with God’s Grace we will all make it through, one day at a time. To my sister Grace and to all my nephew’s and nieces, I love you. Together we will get through this hard time .
Taikuu,
Carrie
May the Lord keep you in his arms and comfort your family. Thank you, Grace, for sharing your husband with NANA.
Every time I saw Lester he asked me where I was from and who I was related to. The first time I met him was in Ambler during the Friends Church conference and he asked me who I was, then told me he was Bruce Lee’s cousin.
He sure knew how to make people feel welcome and loved, even if he just met you. Thanks for all the smiles you gave us and the support.
Taikuu!
Loretta Garfield
I met Lester Hadley’s son in a millwright class in A.T.C. at the tail-end of 2006. Mr. Hadley’s son was very nice to me, a newcomer to the region, where I did not always feel accepted. When I had problems with my studies, Mr. Hadley’s son would help me learn to get my grade. Condolences to the people who are experienced grief arising from his death. God Bless the Hadley Family to carry on their contributions to our community.