George A. Lewis Sr., 89 of Claymont, Delaware passed away at home on September 11, 2024.
George lived in Claymont his entire life. He attended Kindergarten at the Old Stone School where his mother walked him a mile to and from. He attended Claymont School for 12 years and graduated in 1953.
During his school years he was president of student council, president of school choir, and member of the All State Band as a tuba player which he continued in the DuPont company band. He was also active in baseball and track. George was affiliated with the Boy Scouts for 8 years and made it up to Assistant Scout Master of Troop 62 in Claymont. He had enough merit badges to become an Eagle Scout and the Claymont Lions Club in 1950 sent him to the 1st ever Boy Scout Jamboree in Valley Forge. He earned money working a paper route to help support the family.
He was involved in Jaycees specifically to collect donated cars for Ferris School to repair and sell. He played softball for 53 years as a catcher, even up to his 70’s on a travel team.
George worked at the DuPont Company for 10 years as a machinist. After there he set up 2 machine shops for friends and attended the U of D night school for 9 years. He worked as a Bill Collector and then started at Isocyanate Products where he traveled the states and Canda repairing urethane foam machines. George spent 5 years as a Captain for the launch service tug boat while managing maintenance for apartments. He worked with Bob Simpson doing home improvements and then started his own business. He established George A. Lewis Home Improvement Co. for over 40 years after which he retired.
George was an avid duck hunter and trap and skeet shooter. He was a deep-sea charter boat captain for 35 years. His charters included blue and white marlin and tuna. Over the years he won numerous tournaments for game fish and flounder. He was an original lifetime member of the Cape May Marlin and Tuna Club.
George was a life time member of the Claymont Lions Club and received the Melvin Jones Fellow award for dedicated humanitarian services from the Lions Club International Foundation. He also was a lifetime member of the Kirkwood Fitness Club.
George was hard-working, funny, and loved his family, especially Carolyn, the love of his life. He would often tell her, “I’ve had a good life”.
His first marriage to Marilyn Knowles in 1956, where his 3 beautiful daughters brought him happiness; Cindy (Gregg, departed), Pamala (Jim) and Beverly (Curt). His second marriage, of 59 years, was to Carolyn Smith. They had his namesake son George, Jr. “Chip” (Amy) and his treasured daughter Amy (Steve). George is also survived by, his grandchildren, Brett (Lindsay), Matt (Melissa), Katie (Donnie), Taylor (Matt), Trae, Remi, Zachary, Austin, Rebecca (John) and Stephanie; great grandchildren, Jetson, Cohen, Collin, Crew, Owen and Zoey; sister-in-law, Mary Powell and nephews & nieces, Keith (Suzie), Bruce (Linda), John, Rich (Tonya), Steve (Lisa), Trina (Rebecca), Chuck (Yani), Tim (Erin), and Rich (Dawn). George was predeceased by his parents, George and Lillian who immigrated from England in the early 1920’s.
His dad served in the English army for five years in WWI. George’s father worked at General Chemical and Lillian then joined him 3 years later and then married and lived Claymont. Also preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Joanne; brother-in-law, Bob; his nephew, Rob and 2 stillborn siblings in 1920 and 1925 and his sister Joan (John).
Friends are invited to a viewing on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at McCrery and Harra Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE beginning at 10:00 am, where a funeral service will follow at 12:00 noon. Burial immediately following the service at Gracelawn Memorial Park, New Castle, DE.
Special thanks to Bayada Hospice and Home Health Care for their loving care of George in is final years.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be offered in George’s honor to the Claymont Lions Club attention PCC Lee Bird, 11 Bellemeade Place, Wilmington, Delaware 19810.
For online condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com
