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BIO: Theodore J. Lampron Sr. |
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Theodore Joseph Lampron - b. 1910
The Banjo Man
Back Row: Theodore 8, Irene 6
Front Row, Rebecca 3, Grace 6 mo., Lily 5
Ted Lampron was born in Westbrook, Maine in the year 1910. Ted grew up on the family farm on Saco Street and attended schools in Westbrook. Ted was a self-taught banjo player, and by the time he reached his 25th birthday, he was making a living playing the banjo with his own band.
Ted soon became a small town celebrity and, while in his twenties formed the band called "The Mountaineers".
Ted was considered by many, to be the best banjo player in the state of Maine, and for a time, had his own music show on a local Radio Station, broadcasting out of Portland, Maine. The show featured his own band, the "Mountaineers", and the lead singer Lulu Belle.
When not entertaining on the radio, Ted played at local events in the Portland - Westbrook area. Ted was a well known figure in the greater Portland - Westbrook area, and enjoyed getting together with friends and family, and on occasion would entertain them in their homes with some good old fashion banjo music.
Whenever Ted was around, there was always the promise of fun and music. Most people who lived in the city of Westbrook knew who Ted the banjo man was, and most enjoyed his company and his music.
In 1939, he met and later married Mary Williams.
Ted and Mary were married in Portland, Maine in 1940. They lived in Portland for a while until they moved back to Westbrook.
Westbrook, Me 1920s-30s
On October 22, 1940, Ted & Mary gave birth to their only child, Theodore J. Lampron Jr., named after his father. A year later, on Dec. 11, 1941, Germany and Italy declare war on the United States. A year later, Ted went to work for the So. Portland Shipyard where he served as a ship fitter's helper.
President Roosevelt declares war on Germany and ItalyThe War took it's toll on local families as their sons enlisted in the military. Three of Ted's younger brothers joined the military, but at 30 years old, and the only viable support for his family, Ted decided to support the war by going to work for the Ship Yard, and help America to build ships.
In the early 1940's, England desperately needed ships to fight off the German invasion of Europe. The So. Portland Shipyard was one of many that would become important to the war effort and the final victory in World War II. The years were difficult during World War II. People worked hard, and there loomed the continuous threat that Hitler's Army would invade America's homeland. The good life that many Americans had dreams of was placed on hold as the war escalated. America invested much of it's resources in food and energy to overcome the German threat, and eventually money and food became scarce, and families were placed on food rations while women became the cornerstone of American labor. As tough as things were, Ted still managed to buy War Bonds in support of his country, and placed them in his son's name.
In 1943, Ted became seriously ill with a bad cold which quickly turned to pneumonia. There was no penicillin or other drugs available in those days to help ward off the effects of the disease, and Ted continued to grow worst.
A few weeks later, in the late part of 1943, Ted died of pneumonia at the age of 33 leaving behind his wife Mary and his three year old son Ted Jr.
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