Dennis Blair Lewis

West Point, 1965

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Dennis Lewis Jr on September 30, 2009:

HOWLAND - Dennis Blair Lewis Sr., 67, passed away at 7:45 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, in the UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh while waiting for a heart transplant. Dennis was born March 14, 1942, in Youngstown, a son of E. Blair Lewis and Eileen Price Lewis. He was a 1960 graduate of East High School, Youngstown and captain of the championship football team. Dennis was appointed to the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. He played football for the Black Knights and graduated in 1965 with a B.S. in military engineering. Following graduation and commission in the U.S. Army, Dennis married his high-school sweetheart, Marie E. Verdreame, on June 12, 1965. Shortly thereafter, he completed Airborne training and Ranger school, then received orders to Vietnam. He served in the Vinh-Binh sector from December 1966 to December 1967 as a platoon leader, company executive officer and adviser to the South Vietnamese Army. He received the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnamese Star of Gallantry and numerous other decorations. After returning from Vietnam with a rank of captain, Dennis was stationed in Fort Monmouth, N.J., and Iowa State University in Ames. During this time he was an assistant professor of military science at the Iowa State University of Science and Technology. In 1970, Dennis resigned his commission and returned to Warren with Marie to raise their family. Along with his brother Carter and son Dennis Jr., Dennis owned Lewis Construction, a multi-faceted company serving the insurance restoration industry, commercial and residential real estate management and development. He founded this company in 1970 in the basement of his home. His vision has led the company through its 39th year. Dennis loved his work and was always optimistic for the next business venture. Dennis lived large, contributing vast amounts of energy and treasure in making this world a far better place to live. He understood that service is the currency of our place in society. He plainly exhibited that conviction through his contribution in the Army, as a businessman, a concerned citizen and as a dedicated family man. His guidance and gifts to Northeast Ohio Adoption Services, founded by his sister, Barbara, helped social workers find families for more than one thousand special-needs kids. Outside of family and friends, Dennis' main passion was Army football. He was a season-ticket holder for many years and looked forward to attending games, both home and away. Dennis' attendance at key events with coaches and players and his support of the "A" Club were recognized by his receipt of an ARMY "A," one of his happiest and proudest moments. He enjoyed discussing the finer points with his lifelong Band of Brothers. Closer to home, he assisted Congressman Tim Ryan in recruiting and interviewing applicants to the service academies. Dennis' greatest gift was the time he willingly gave to those who needed him most. His extraordinary compassion for helping those in need included his friend, Tim Vogel, a classmate from West Point. Dennis was his guardian as Tim suffered a debilitating disease. Dennis took care of him until the end, ensuring Tim's dignity and pride were intact. Dennis' family, including his elders, always sought his counsel on their most pressing life issues. His knowledge, experience, and most importantly his caring and support made him the pillar of the family. Dennis enjoyed playing poker and cards with his friends. He also enjoyed golf, although that was not always evident while playing with him. He was a lifelong member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Youngstown, where he sang in the boys choir. He is survived by his wife, Marie E. Lewis; a son Dennis B. Lewis Jr., his wife, Amy and their children, Madeline, Audrey and Vivian of Howland; a daughter, Eileen M. Mutolo, her husband, Vince and their children Vincent and Trevor of Summit, NJ; a brother Carter P. Lewis, his wife, Carole of Howland, and their children Shayna, Cara and Barbie; a stepmother Carolyn Lewis of Howland; a brother-in-law Angelo Verdreame of Austintown; a sister-in-law, Beverly Gronvall and her husband, John of Boardman and their children Jonathon, Lauren and Rachel; two step-sisters, Lynne (Dan) Toth of Tarpon Springs, Fla., and Sue (Joe) Schmidt of Pagosa Springs, Colo.; and a foster sister, Jessie Phillips of Warren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara L. Roberts, the founder of Northeast Ohio Adoption Services. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Northeast Ohio Adoption Services, 5000 E. Market St., Suite 26, Warren, Ohio 44484. Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at St. John's Episcopal Church, 323 Wick Ave., Youngstown, Ohio. Funeral Services will be at 1 p.m. at the church. Dennis will be buried with full military honors in West Point Cemetery, West Point, N.Y., on Sept. 9.

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