Obituary of M. Keith Lewis

M. Keith Lewis of Eastford, age 87, died Friday evening August 18, 2006, at his home surrounded by his family. He was the beloved husband of Ruth (Young) Lewis; they were married August 21, 1938. They would have been married 68 years on Monday. He was born November 24, 1918 in Putnam, the only child of M. Darwin and Eleanor (Keith) Lewis. Keith was a graduate of Woodstock Academy in 1936 and attended Bay Bath College. He was a veteran of WWII serving with the U.S. Army. He was a member of the Congregational Church of Eastford, a Charter Member of Eastford Independent Fire Company, a member of the Putnam Lodge 46 AF & AM in South Woodstock, the American Legion Post 203 of Eastford, and life Member of Willimantic Elks Lodge Willimantic BPOE. He served as a State Representative for the Town of Eastford from 1963 1964, was Chairman of the Eastford Republican Town Committee for 25 years and a member of the Board of Tax Review. Keith was employed at Capitol Garage in Willimantic for many years where he was the manager of the body shop. He operated service stations on the former Connecticut turnpike, after retirement, he worked for the House Republicans in Hartford, a job he thoroughly enjoyed. During the summer you would find him enjoying the "cottage" at Crystal Pond, spending many hours tending his garden and fruit trees and many winters were spent in the warmer climate, in Winter Haven or Zephyrhills, Fl. In addition to his wife he leaves three daughters, Nancy and Russell Mayhew of Eastford; Joanne and Raymond Korner of W. Yarmouth, MA.; Susan and Thomas Dillon of So. Dennis, MA.; Grandchildren: Douglas and Gretchen Mayhew Diane and Randy Matteau; Christopher and Karen Mayhew; James Korner; Kathryn Korner; Robin and Dennis Driscoll; Melissa and Thomas Cummins; Eileen Dillon; Great Grandchildren: Chloe and Katherine Mayhew, Mandi and Brady Matteau, Christopher, Cara and Marissa Mayhew, Marisa and Myranda Korner, Rachel, Kathleen and Sarah Driscoll and Emmett and Sullivan Cummins. The funeral will be Tuesday at 11:00 AM in the Congregational Church of Eastford, 8 Church Road, Eastford. Burial with Military Honors in Grove Cemetery, Eastford.Calling hours Monday from 6 to 8 PM at the Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam, CT. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to Eastford Independent Fire Company, PO Box 333, Eastford, CT 06242 or the Eleanor K. Lewis Scholarship Fund, PO Box 98, Eastford, CT 06242. To share a memory with his family Light a Candle at www.smithandwalkerfh.com