Shrewsbury
Halston L Lewis
April 15, 1932-March 28, 2018
Halston Lewis passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, March 28 after a period of declining health. Hal was a resident of Shrewsbury from 1979 to present, previously living in Northborough since 1959.
Born in Bridgewater, Maine, he was the son of Gordon Lewis of Bridgewater and Vada (Dyer) Lewis of Armond, New Brunswick, Canada. He graduated from Bridgewater Classical Academy in 1950, attended Gordon College for one year and then enlisted in the US Air Force, serving from 1951-1955. After his discharge, he continued on to receive his undergraduate degree from Brandeis University and his Master’s degree from Harvard University.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years Barbara (Curtis) Lewis, daughters Sandra Violette and her husband Ken of Shrewsbury, Laurie Lewis of Shrewsbury, Martha Hopkins and her husband Giles of Northampton, grandchildren Emily, Phoebe and Noah, sisters Wanda Fontaine, Dawn Bourque and her husband Jerry, Glenda Auciello and her husband Ralph, and Judy Lavash, along with many nieces and nephews.
Hal was a lifelong teacher, first in Weston, MA, then for many years at the Bromfield School in Harvard, MA, with a period at Algonquin Regional HS in Northborough. After retiring from Bromfield he continued to volunteer in the education field as a reading mentor for the first and second grades at the Spring Street Elementary School in Shrewsbury. Hal was a history buff, and reading and writing were passions of his. He was in the process of writing a book on how the Civil War affected the population of rural Aroostook County, Maine- both the soldiers and their families and residents who were left behind.
Hal loved to garden and work in the woods. Cutting and splitting firewood was a favorite pastime, and a full woodshed was a point of pride. His perfect day would also include having his family at the house to visit. He loved keeping up with his children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments and adventures. He was a family man and a homebody. His favorite spot for morning coffee was on the front porch.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Salmon VNA & Hospice for taking such wonderful care of Hal in his last weeks, and for the care and comfort that they continue to provide to our entire family.
There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 13 at 10:00 AM at Hays Funeral Home in Northborough, MA. Immediately following the service there will be a gathering at the Vincent Picard American Legion Post in Northborough MA. Burial will be held privately in Belchertown, MA, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest a memorial donation in Hal’s name to either the library at the Spring Street Elementary School in Shrewsbury, or to the Shrewsbury Public Library.