John Michael Lewis, M.D., F.A.C.E.P., 75, of Edgecomb, passed away peacefully on Nov. 9.
The only son of William and Hilda Lewis, John was born in Manchester, England. He received his medical degree from St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London University, in 1963, where he enjoyed rugby and crew.
He went on to complete his residency at The Royal Hammersmith Hospital, London. It was at university that John met fellow medical student, Jennifer Mary Hall. They were married in 1963 in Christchurch, England and practiced medicine for several years in London, Malawi, Africa, and rural Devon, England. In 1971 John and Jennifer moved their young family to the United States.
John entered into family practice in Newport, N.H., before relocating to Littleton, N.H. to begin his own practice serving the residents of the North Country. John and Jennifer worked together in private medical practice in Littleton and Whitefield, N.H., for 15 years. John also served on the Littleton Regional Hospital Board and provided his skills to the Littleton Hospital Emergency Room. Together, he and Jennifer truly enjoyed caring for and becoming part of the North Country communities, appreciating their close-knit atmosphere and the many outlets they offered for themselves and their children.
Later in his career, John became a board certified Emergency Physician and joined the emergency room staffs at Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin, N.H.; Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, N.H.; and MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta.
John was a passionate sailor, traveling most weekends to the Maine coast to prepare his boat for the upcoming summer, or enjoy time on the water with family and close friends. His enthusiasm for sailing led to many memorable vacations, adventures (both expected and unexpected) and moments of bottomless humor.
Their appreciation for the beauty of the Maine coast led John and Jennifer to retire to Edgecomb in 1994. John also enjoyed gardening with his wife and skiing in the White Mountains (Bretton Woods and Cannon Mountain were his favorite spots).
Last, but certainly not least, John maintained a love for cars, ranging from the American SUV to ones much closer to his European roots – a Triumph TR-6, Porsche 924, Porsche 928, Aston Martin and finally the gentleman’s trusty Mercedes each made their way into his garage at one point or another. Some of these acquisitions were planned, while others just appeared in the driveway. At those times, John responded to his family’s shock with his signature laugh and a wink.
As a father to his beloved three children, John provided a nurturing and supportive home with just the right balance of love and respect. In each of them, he instilled the necessity to work hard, be true to one’s word, and always do the right thing. Along the way, mistakes were made and shortfalls experienced, yet John was always there “just so,” and the kids went off again – down the driveway, down the ski slope or down the road of life – always with his warm smile behind them.
John was predeceased by his wife, Jennifer, in 2012.
He is survived by daughters, Sarah C. Desrochers, and Victoria M. Bogatyrenko; son, Tobias J. Lewis, and their respective spouses, Mark, Yulii and Patricia; grandchildren, Brianna and Lindsey Desrochers, William and Charles Bogatyrenko, and Griffin and Fiona Lewis, who were a source of love, humor and immense pride.
At John’s request there will be no visiting hours, with a private family service to be held at a later date.
John did suggest that memorial donations be made to the Jennifer Lewis Memorial Fund, c/o Denise Crowley, ACHS, 25 Mount Eustis Rd., Littleton, N.H. 03561.
