Robert F. Lewis, 86

CHESHIRE, Mass. —(Bob) Foster Lewis, 86, of Cheshire MA and Winter Haven FL, died November 7, 2023, sadly, only one week after he arrived back at his beloved winter home, Carefree Country Club in Florida, peacefully on his own terms from heart failure. The oldest of 5, Bob was born in North Adams, MA January 6, 1937, to the late George Ermisch and Louise Ellen (LePage) Lewis; he attended North Adams schools and graduated in 1954 from Drury High school where he was a member of the Nu Sigma and Pro Merito honor societies, the Photography, Drivers and Music clubs and played trumpet in the band. After high school Bob worked at Brewer Brothers as an auto mechanic before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1955. Bob served his country as an Aircraft Jet engine mechanic, Crew Chief, until his honorable discharge as Airman First Class in 1961. Bob was proud to show the pictures of his B57E plane with his name painted, along with his pilot’s, on its side. On May 26, 1956 at the Blackinton Union church, Bob Married his high school sweetheart and his “best friend from the time he was 12 years old,” the former Beverly (Bev) Harrington and she joined him as he traveled with the Air Force, before settling in Cheshire and raising their 5 children. Upon returning home from the Air Force, Bob became the substitute rural letter carrier for the town of Cheshire and worked at his family business, Lewis’ Service Center until he took a job with G.E. working on power transformers in 1967. In 1972 he became the full time Cheshire Letter carrier until his retirement in 1992. When he wasn’t working at his day job, Bob was always building, making or fixing something. Bob was a jack of all trades, dedicated to providing for his family and was always willing to help in any way he could, with his skills and ingenuity, asking for nothing in return. In the summer of 1972 before beginning full time work at the Post Office, Bob and Bev packed up the station wagon and took the family on a months long camping road trip to the west coast and back. After that trip, to make traveling more comfortable, Bob used his genius skills to convert an old pick-up truck into a mini RV and used it to take the family on future camping trips. After traveling around the entire country Bob decided his favorite place to stay was central Florida, so every year the family would spend April vacation camping there. When Bev started playing golf in her later years Bob also had to learn how and became a pretty good golfer, even scoring a hole-in-one at Pontoosuc Lake Country Club where Bev was Women’s club champion. As the children outgrew the family vacations, Bob and Bev started traveling to Florida alone looking for places to play golf. In 1986 they found their future retirement home site at Carefree Country Club. Bob enjoyed watching sports, faithfully following the Red Sox and Patriots and enjoyed watching all his children’s sports from little league to high school and college basketball games; Bob & Bev were always there to cheer them on. Bob retired in 1992 and at the age of 55 he was able to live his dream of wintering in Central Florida with Bev. Besides playing golf with Bev, Bob was able to join and enjoy playing men’s softball. In the winter Bob was a member of the Florida Half Century Amateur Softball Association and played for many years with the Winter Haven Senior Softball over 50 league. In the summer Bob played softball alongside his youngest son, Al Lewis with the North Adams Men’s over 35 league. Bob was the oldest player in the league up north but was considered one of the “youngsters” when he began playing in Florida. Bob also played 3rd base on the team of Berkshire County residents that won the softball gold medal in the 50+ division in the MA senior games 2 years in a row. Tragically, after 63 years of marriage Bob was predeceased by Bev on August 21, 2019. Bob & Bev were inseparable and the last 4 years since Bev’s passing were extremely difficult for Bob with declining health and the inability to do things like he used to do. Life was made more bearable for him spending every Sunday in the summer playing games with his “best buddy” his beloved grandson Brayden, and with the time, care and attention paid to him in the winter by his Florida neighbor and selfless sister-in-law Josie Lewis. Bob is survived by his 5 children, Jerri Brodeur of Northborough MA; Nancy Lewis and her husband Rocky Williams of Surry County VA; Ken Lewis and his wife Cheryl Lewis of Saluda VA; Linda Lewis-Ryan and her husband Bruce Ryan of Hinsdale MA; Al Lewis and his wife Patricia Lewis of North Adams MA; 6 Grandchildren, Charlene Pappas, Jesse & Andrew Lewis, Jackson & A.J. Brodeur and Brayden Ryan, 6 Great Grandchildren, Jessica, Krystal & Erin Pappas; Dean, Iris & Thea Lewis and one Great-Great Grandson, Damien Pappas Hargrove. Bob is also survived by Harry & Josie Lewis, Chic & Barb Lewis of Cheshire MA and his brother-in-law Tony Pedercini of North Adams MA; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides Bev, Bob was predeceased by his 11 year old little brother Ted Lewis, his sister Judy Pedercini, his Infant grandson Justin Lewis and his nephew Bill Lewis. Bob had a wonderful life, touched many hearts and will be greatly missed by all who loved him. In keeping with Bob’s wishes, Graveside services will be held privately in the spring at the family plot in Southview Cemetery, North Adams MA. The PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, Adams, is in charge of arrangements. To leave a message of condolence for Bob’s family, please go online to www.paciorekfuneral.com