Whitney L. Lesure February 6, 1959 - January 5, 2026

Whitney L. Lesure passed away unexpectedly on January 5, 2026. Born on February 6, 1959, in Cambridge, Mass., Whit spent the last 44 years as a basketball coach and mentor to hundreds of student athletes across prep school and college programs, including the last 29 years at Bridgton Academy in North Bridgton. 

While Whit was certainly recognized nationally as one of the best basketball coaches at the prep level, including an induction into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009, he was also a respected and dedicated educator who always appreciated the relationship between academics and athletics. Whit’s work in the classroom at Bridgton was transformational for those who enrolled in his classes. Later in his career at Bridgton, Whit excelled as a college counselor, due in large part to his always helpful conversations and perspective built over years of helping young men move on to the next level. On the court, he combined competitiveness and drive with empathy and collegiality. He held a strong love for his players and assistant coaches and, while he held a strong distaste for losing, he cared for his players and their futures more than the final score of any game. Away from the court, Whit enjoyed the friends and relationships built at Bridgton Highlands Golf Course and within the golf community.