TOPSHAM — John Irving Lewis, 94, went home to the loving arms his Lord and Savior on March 17, 2016, at Winship Green in Bath, Maine with his daughter by his side. He was born November 17, 1921 in Clinton Maine, the son of the late Harolyn Lewis and Ethel( Adams) Lewis. At a young age his parents moved to Portland, he remained in Clinton living with his grandparents and had many happy memories of his years with them. He came to live with his parents in Brunswick a few years later. He completed his eighth grade education then went to work to provide for his then single mother and brother.

He was a very proud WW II veteran, enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1942, serving in Co. C – 602nd Tank Destroyer Battalion. He often spoke of his days in the military, especially the Normandy invasion at Omaha beach. He saw action in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was honorably discharged as a Corporal with several medals in November of 1945. Following his tour with the army he found employment with Pejepscot Paper Mill in Topsham where he was the maintenance manager for 43 years never missing a day of work. During his employment at the mill he built a star that topped the building to be lit at Christmas. It remains today.

He married the love of his life Edna Towle in Portland July 5, 1947. They began their life together in Brunswick, but also lived in Topsham, Waterville and Florida for a number of years before returning to Topsham in 1997 to be near the family they had raised.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 202 Topsham and the Brunswick Elks. He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. His grandchildren and great grandchildren were his pride and joy. He was a wonderful loving father and faithful devoted husband. He will be remembered for his work ethics. In the early years of raising a family he often worked two jobs. At home he always had a project to keep him busy and was a “jack of many trades”. He loved gardening, hunting, flea markets in Florida, dancing, music, eating out and attending church. He was a member of the Great Island church of the Nazarene. Even in the days of his declining health he looked forward to attending church, it was the highlight of his week.

He is survived by his daughter Cheryl Dunning and her husband Jack of Harpswell, his son Mark Lewis and his wife Christine of Daphne, Alabama; grandchildren Allison Wiest and her husband Jason of Lisbon Falls, Chad Vaillancourt of Harpswell, Tasia Lewis and Leisha Lewis of Oakland. He is also survived by three great grandchildren, Julia Bowen and Nolan Wiest of Lisbon Falls and Olivia Vaillancourt of Harpswell. He is predeceased by his wife Edna, his son Gary Lewis, his brother Fred Lewis and a nephew David Lewis.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.crosmanfuneralhome.com

A celebration of John and Edna’s life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are under the care of Crosman Funeral Home, Cremation and Monument Services, 40 Main St., Lisbon Falls.