Lew Solomon passed away peacefully on January 27th, 2024. He was born to Joe and Helen Solomon on Feb 7th, 1936, in Bakersfield, California. He attended East Bakersfield High School and then headed to his Midwest mecca: The University of Notre Dame. Truly one of the biggest thrills of his life, a passion for the Fighting Irish was forged and never dimmed.
Along the way, he fell in love with Linda Carlisle. After she finished San Jose State, they married and had four children: Jeff, Jimmy, Susie, and Andy.
After graduating, he worked for Mulhofer Drug Company in Bakersfield until taking a management position at the Brunswig Wholesale Drug Company. This career eventually led him to Fresno, where he and Linda settled. He later worked in commercial real estate for Coldwell Banker before owning Central Valley Golf for 25 years.
Other than his family and Notre Dame football, golf was Lew’s primary pursuit. He and Linda played together at San Joaquin Country Club for 44 years, where fierce competition and great friendships were par for the course.
Lew loved playing horseshoes at Greenhorn Mountain. He also spent many vacations in Cayucos, enjoying the ocean breeze and time with his children and grandchildren.
Lew was guided by a love for family and a strong Catholic faith. Until the very end, he would spend time reading a daily devotional. He volunteered for and donated to Catholic Charities.
Lew left his mark on this world. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten. Each time Notre Dame scores a touchdown, at least one person will be smiling up in Heaven.
Lew was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Helen Solomon, sister Lynn Reynolds, son Andy Solomon and daughter Susie Jones. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Linda Solomon, son Jeff and wife Carolyn, son Jim and wife Melissa, sister Libby Doolittle and husband Mike, eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
A Funeral Mass will take place at Holy Spirit Church, 355 E. Champlain Drive, Fresno, CA at 10:00 am on Friday, February 9, 2024.
Remembrances may be made to the University of Notre Dame online at Giving.ND.edu or by phone at 574-631-5150 or Catholic Charities.
