HARPSWELL – Lewis V. Ward,  “The Amazing Lou”, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded in love on Saturday May 18, 2019.

He was born in Bath on June 24, 1944, the son of Virgil E. Ward and Virginia C. Estes. Lewis grew up in Harpswell and attended West Harpswell Elementary and Brunswick High School.

He married the love of his life, Loretta L. Kenopensky in 1961.

In his younger years, Lewis worked as a pipe fitter for Electric Boat in Groton Conn. and as an upholsterer in his father’s business. He worked for LL Bean for several years as a custodian. Lewis also worked as a lobsterman in Harpswell, since the age of five, and became known as Capt’n Louie.

He was a founding member of Interstate Lobster and went on to own L. Ward and Sons, as well as Capt’n Louie’s Seafood.

In 1996 he became a self-taught magician after the death of his father who was also a magician. His professional name was “The Amazing Lou”. Lewis loved entertaining people and seeing the wonder in children’s eyes when he performed magic for them.

He was known all over New England for his magic. He performed for Camp Sunshine many times, as well as The Red Jacket Inn, schools, libraries and numerous fairs. Some called him “The Fishin Magician!” Besides his love of magic and lobstering, Lewis enjoyed attending magic conventions, making balloons sculptures, roller skating, bowling, eating out, watermelon, baseball and fishing with his grandchildren and telling fish stories and tall tales. He was truly the kindest man that ever lived.

Lewis was a lifetime member of the Lower Slovak Club in Lisbon Falls. He also was a member of the S.A.M. 174 Magic Club and became a national member of the Society Of American Magicians.

He is predeceased by his parents; two sons, Lewis V. Ward Jr., and Laurance M. Ward; two brothers, Malcom C. Lewis and Laurance E.Ward; two grandsons, Cameron L. Van Vlack and Dustin K. Winn; and great-granddaughter, Layla J. Winn.

Lewis is survived by his wife, Loretta, of 58 years; a brother, James W. Lewis and his wife, Gloria of  Virginia, a sister, Linda Synnefakis and her husband, John of Scarborough; two daughters, Leeann M. Van Vlack and Lynette E. Mitchell of Harpswell; a daughter-in-law, Cheryl Lee Ward, also of Harpswell; eight grandchildren, Joseph I. Graves, Amanda L. Peacock, James T.C. Ward, Jason B.L. Ward, Charles A. Van Vlack II, Jesse L. Mitchell, Matthew A. Winn and Kendele W. Ouelette; and nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 24, at the Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal Street, Brunswick. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the West Harpswell Baptist Church, 1492 Harpswell Neck Road, Harpswell.  Condolences can be expressed at www.brackettfh.com

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