Eugene H Lewis Sr.

Windham-Lt. Col. Eugene Hall Lewis, Sr. U.S. Army retired, 96, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Living Center on Sunday, February 27, 2011. He was the son of Eugene B. Lewis and Florence (Hall) Lewis, born on February 3, 1915 in Willimantic, CT. Raised in Willimantic, he attended Natchaug and Windham High School. He later graduated from The Connecticut Agricultural College (UConn) in 1936 with a major in history and government. While in college he was voted by the student body and faculty as the best athlete in his junior and senior years where he played football, basketball, baseball and was proud of being a 3-letter man.

Following college, Eugene entered the Army Reserves and was assigned to the First Division of Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, NY. He then volunteered for active duty reporting to Fort Knox, KY. During the war he served as Army Liaison officer on Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King’s staff in Washington, DC and later took over command of the 795th amphibious tank battalion. Following active duty he entered the insurance business which he maintained throughout his career, as well as numerous business ventures, finally retiring in 1979.

Eugene was elected First Selectman in the Town of Windham in 1946 and was re-elected in 1948. Throughout his political career he served on many town and state committees. He was the first commander of the Windham AMVETS Post 2 and a member of the American Legion Post 19. He was the first chairman of the Housing Authority for the City of Willimantic, and was justice of the peace from 1966 to 1979. Eugene was life appointed Chairman of the Windham/Willimantic Democratic town committee, past president of the Civitan Club, chairman of the ward redistricting committee, served on the Windham Zoning Commission and the Windham/Willimantic Wetlands Commission, as well as heading up the out of town committee for raising money for the addition to Windham Hospital. He also served on the advisory board of the Salvation Army for over 20 years. As a staunch Democrat, he campaigned for our state senators, representatives, and town officials. He prided himself in getting the most absentee ballots during election time.

Having a great love of hunting and fishing, he was a life member of the Fin, Fur and Feather Club of Chaplin, CT. He also was instrumental in heading up the local Teenagers March for Leukemia for St. Jude’s Research Center.

On January 15, 1939, Eugene married Mary Ann Obsharsky and together they had six sons. He and Mary enjoyed many retirement years in Florida and at their summer home in Pleasure Beach, Waterford, CT. He loved telling stories of his college years, military experiences, and hunting adventures. In the past few years he resided at the Card Home and his last few months at St. Joseph’s Living Center. He was affectionately called Gene, Jake, the “Colonel”, Curley and Grandpa.

Eugene was the oldest member of the First United Methodist Church of Willimantic having been born into that congregation.

He is survived by his three sons, Eugene H. Lewis, Jr. and his wife Linda, Gregory Paul Lewis, and Robert Michael Lewis and his wife Sherryll Beach, all of Willimantic, 12 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Eugene was predeceased by his wife Mary, three sons, Douglas, Carlton and David, and his brother Hollis Lewis.

A celebration of his life will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 29 Puddin Lane, Mansfield, CT on Sunday March 6, 2011 at 4:00 PM. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the memorial service. Burial will be at the convenience of the family at the New Willimantic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eugene’s memory to the First United Methodist Church, 29 Puddin Lane, Mansfield, CT 06250, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Please visit www.churchandallen.com to leave an online condolence for the Lewis family.