Lewis Reese
former Director of Tennis at Northemeadow
LOWELL Lewis Reese, 86, a well known tennis professional and beloved member of the Greater Boston tennis community, died February 9, peacefully at his home in Lowell after a long illness.
Lew was born in Atlanta Georgia, on September 9, 1934, a son of the late Philip Reese and the late Velma l. (Phelps) Reese. He was educated at Palmer Memorial Institute, a boarding school, in North Carolina and later he continued his education at Morehouse College in Atlanta. Eventually he settled in New Rochelle, NY where he lived for a number of years. He also resided in Billerica, Beacon Hill, Andover, Dracut, and most recently Lowell.
Lew was a tennis professional, both as an instructor and director of tennis at Northmeadow Tennis and Racquet Club in Tewksbury. He introduced Platform Tennis to New England while in Tewksbury. He also worked as the general manager of the Club from 1972 until 1998. He was also a Co-Founder of the Roxbury Sportsmen's Tennis Club, where through fundraising duties, he met and befriended his long time friend and fellow tennis champion, Arthur Ashe.
Lew was universally loved by all those he encountered. He formed lifelong friendships with his quick wit, charming smile and genuine warmth of character. He served as President of Tewksbury Rotary Club and was a founding force in the “Taste of Tewksbury” fundraising event, which has continued to grow in success for the last two decades. He lived a life of deep faith and devotion to God, one of his favorite bible verses being Proverbs 8:17 NIV - "I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me".
He leaves a son, Joshua Reese of Lowell; a granddaughter, two nephews, Steve Johnson of Washington, and Douglas Johnson of Nevada and his former wife, Marcia Chamber. He was predeceased by his sister, Patricia Johnson.
A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 20 at 11 a.m. at Twelfth Baptist Church, 160 Warren Street, Roxbury, MA. The memorial will also be live broadcast at: https://www.facebook.com/TBCBOSTON/