James Newell Lewis, 92, of Nobleboro, passed away unexpectedly on May 26 at the Maine Medical Center in Portland, as a result of complications from injuries sustained in a recent automobile accident.
He was born in Foxborough, Mass. on July 21, 1916, the son of William Remson Lewis and Maude (Trask) Lewis. As a child, Jim and his family traveled throughout the United States and visited Maine often, since distant relations resided in the Damariscotta area. After graduating from Foxborough High School, he returned to Maine to attend Colby College, graduating in 1938.
In 1940, Jim married Helen Louise Shaw, and they ventured west to begin their new life together. After settling in the Los Angeles area, he worked as an engineer for North American Aircraft Corporation. As they began their family, they decided to return east and eventually settled in Sharon, Mass., where they raised their two daughters, Nancy and Sally. During these years, he established his career as a sales engineer at the Foxborough Company.
Jim’s dream of living in Maine permanently was fulfilled when he took an early retirement in 1973. For many years, Jim and Helen spent half the year at St. Simon’s Island in Georgia and the other half at their home in Nobleboro, where he nurtured the soil, tended his animals, and cultivated lovely vegetable gardens. During these years, they also enjoyed traveling to many parts of the United States and Europe.
Jim was an accomplished bridge player during his younger years and also loved playing badminton and other sports, as well as reading. Throughout his life, he enjoyed good music, the theater, and lively discussions about history, world affairs, and politics. He was also a longstanding member of the Nobleboro Historical Society. During his later years, he looked forward to summer gatherings with family in Maine.
He was predeceased by his wife Helen, in 2004; five sisters; and one brother.
Survivors include his two daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and David Nash of Edgecomb and Sally and Harry Pearce of Williamsburg, Va.; three granddaughters and spouses, Wendy and Gary Smith of Newport News, Va., Susan and Jim Gold of Swanzey, N.H. and Amy and Brian Lewis of Madison, Conn.; two grandsons and spouses, Scott and Juli Pearce of Bolder, Col. and Keith and Joni Pearce of Paris, France; 11 great-grandchildren, Catherine, Jacob, Sydney Grace, Alden and Nathan Pearce; Emily and Julia Lewis; Elizabeth and Kimberly Gold; and Andrew and Caroline Smith.
Memorial service will take place during the summer at the Trask Homestead in Nobleboro.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
