Gary Brett Lewis

Gary Brett Lewis was born on September 1, 1944 in Elizabeth, New Jersey to Henry and Olga (nee Okolichany) Lewis. He joined a robust family of sister June, a model and mother of two; and brother Henry Jr., known to all as “Ted,” a celebrated Army veteran who served in the occupation of Germany after WWII, engineer and father of four. Both parents’ families hailed from Austria-Hungary, now present-day Slovakia.

His father, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, was the founder of Manning & Lewis, an engineering firm best known for developing the window-washing system for modern-day skyscrapers still in use today.

His mother traveled the world and is remembered fondly for fostering a tight-knit bond with her three sisters and brother, providing an idyllic childhood for Gary, his siblings and cousins, and later nieces and nephews.

Gary grew up in Short Hills and Rumson, New Jersey, as a football player and all-around athlete, graduating locally from Millburn High School.

A wonderful influence in Gary’s life as a young man was his maternal grandfather who, as a teen, had the grit to leave home, board a steamer on his own and emigrate to America to forge a new life.

After achieving a remarkable perfect score on his math SAT, Gary received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from Lehigh University, where he also formed lifelong friendships. He went on to earn a PhD in engineering from the University of Notre Dame. He would later woo his future wife on their first date by telling her he believed, “math is elegant.”

After attaining his PhD, he served his country as a Captain in the United States Army.

Gary had impressive tenures at NASA, Johnson & Johnson, Mansfield Scientific, and DuPont where he was recognized by his peers and achieved an award for leading a team in developing the methodology of the mass production of Kevlar. Capitalizing on his many relationships within the medical community, Gary realized his dream of founding his own biomedical firm, Viamed Corporation. He helped to shape the future of cardiac care by specializing in the development of stents and myriad medical products.

Gary is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ellen, his tireless supporter and companion; his son Timothy; his daughter Allyson and her husband; and grandchildren Bo and Indiana, the great loves of Gary’s life.

Gary was an avid skier, boater, racquet ball player and traveler. He enjoyed taking his wife and children on grand adventures to Florida and California and loved spending time with friends and family in Vermont and at the Jersey Shore.

He cherished his summers on Cape Cod and especially at Arnold’s Lobster & Clam Bar where he would line up early and sit with his family until sunset.

His family will treasure his memory in their hearts forever.

Visitation will be held at the Sullivan Funeral Homes, 45 East Water Street, Rockland, on October 2nd at 10 AM followed by a service in the funeral home at 11 AM. Burial at St Patrick's in Rockland.