George W. Lewis

 

WHITE CREEK, N.Y. — George Wesley Lewis, 64, died early Wednesday morning, April 30, 2008 at his home, after a long illness.

He was born June 2, 1943 in Hanover, N.H., the son of Delwin L. and Hazel B. (Linton) Lewis. He attended the Upper Valley Strafford School until it burned and then finished out his elementary school at the Newton School in South Strafford. He graduated from Thetford Academy in 1961.

He worked at several jobs and returned to work at the family farm in Strafford with his dad. During the early 1960s, he enjoyed drag racing at the track in Milton, where he still holds a track record. In 1965, he married Jeanne Trottier of South Royalton, and they had three sons. He and his family kept busy with the farm. They were involved with the Farm Bureau, Eastern Breeders and Yankee Milk. In 1972, he and his dad were the recipients of the New England Green Pastures Award for the State of Vermont.

He received the Vermont Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer of the Year award in 1973, and his father represented the farm at the Eastern State’s Expo in Springfield, Mass.

Later, he appeared on the Channel 3 TV program, "Across the Fence" with Tony Adams. He and his family moved to Argyle, N.Y. in 1973 to help run a large dairy farm with his brother Greg.

In 1985, he moved to Bennington and was employed as head of production for Skyway Roofing Company. In 1986, he assumed full management of the company. The business merged with Vermont Roofing out of Rutland in 1988, and in 1999 received the JPS Alliance award as one of the top 25 companies in the United States for quality and sales.

He lived in White Creek for the past several years, and married his long-time companion, Brenda Peacock of Shaftsbury, January 12, 2008. He was active in community affairs in Bennington, where he was a member of the Norshaft Lions Club, Bennington Chamber of Commerce, and the annual car show. He served as cabinet secretary/treasurer of the Vermont State Lions Club and received the Lions’ Melvin Jones Award in 1995. He had also received the D. Ed Moore Award from the Bennington Chamber of Commerce.

He enjoyed his family, friends and his work with the community. Although he spent many years away from Strafford, he always kept close ties with his hometown. Throughout his life, he had a great love for baseball and was a passionate fan of the Boston Red Sox.

Survivors include his wife, Brenda L. Lewis of White Creek, N.Y.; three sons; Brett Lewis of Strafford, Neal Lewis and his wife, Jennifer, of Hartford, N.Y., and Todd Lewis and his companion, Beth, of Queensbury, N.Y.; a stepdaughter, Traci Smith and her husband of Springfield, Mass.; a stepson, Terry Thompson of San Roman, Calif.; six grandchildren; his mother, Hazel Lewis of Strafford; his paternal grandmother, Olive Lewis of Strafford; a brother, Greg Lewis of Strafford; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Calling hours were held Sunday, May 4 at the Boardway & Cilley Funeral Home in Chelsea. A funeral service was held Monday, May 5 with Rev. Mary Thompson, Rev. James MacIntyre III and Rev. Gary Lewis officiating. Pianist, Jessica Mellott, led the large congregation in singing the hymns, "How Great Thou Art," "The Old Rugged Cross," and "Amazing Grace."

Bearers were Brett Lewis, Neal Lewis, Todd Lewis, Billy Lewis, John Lewis, Sean Lewis, Barney Drum and Carlton Phelps. Honorary bearers were Roger Brown, Phil Coburn, Jim Condick, Neal Hoag, Gile Kendall, Ted Kenyon, Jim Linn, Mickey Mousley, Frank Paturzo, Denny Preston, Arthur Robinson, Earl Silloway and Larry Trottier. Following the service, family and friends shared a time of fellowship and refreshment at Barrett Hall in South Strafford, hosted by the local Lions Club.

Memorial contributions may be made to Norshaft Lions Club, White Creek Fire Department, Strafford Fire Department, P.O. Box 208, South Strafford, Vt. 05070; or to the Washington County Hospice.

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