Gerald Parker Lewis of New Bedford died peacefully on Saturday July 1, 2023 at the age of 92. A devoted family man, he was a beloved husband, father and grandfather.
Born on July 19, 1930 in New Bedford, Gerald was the son of the late Norman F. and Lillian (Parker) Lewis. He attended New Bedford public schools, including New Bedford Vocational Technical High School where he excelled in sports. A gifted athlete, he lettered in football, basketball and baseball. As the team’s catcher, his greatest memory was having caught the three best left handers in the city. In 1996, he was inducted into Voke’s Hall of Fame. Following his high school graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was attached to VF 103, a naval air fighter squadron based at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida. During his four years in the Navy, he played baseball for both the Navy and Air Force. In 1954, he was honorably discharged from the Navy. In 1958, he graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering from New Bedford Institute of Technology, now known as the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Over the course of his career, he worked for Sprague Electric Company, RCA, Foxboro Company and Commonwealth Electric.
In 1956, he married Maureen Collins, a union that would last 67 years. Together they raised four children. Theirs was a true partnership, always putting their family first. He was active in his children’s lives from the very beginning, especially when it came to sports. He loved spending time with them. He was a natural teacher, a trusted confidante, a good listener and always lovingly supportive. He also enjoyed being a coach - whether it was for the New Bedford Baseball Exchange Club or his sons St. James CYO basketball teams. He loved playing golf and was a member of the Allendale Country Club for many years.
He shared his love of the ocean by teaching his children how to swim and sail at Brandt Beach, Mattapoisett. He was a jack -of- all- trades, always having a project to do in the house or in the yard. An avid reader, he enjoyed books on World and American History as well as golf. A Roman Catholic, he was a communicant of St. James Church.
Gerald is survived by his loving wife Maureen (Collins) Lewis, his daughter Annemarie Lewis Kerwin and her husband Mark of Milton, MA; his son Matthew Lewis and his wife Jodie of Bristol, CT; his son Steven Lewis of Medfield, MA; and his son Mark Lewis and his wife Jill of Lincoln, RI. He will be sorely missed by his seven grandchildren- Leslie, Mollie, Christopher, Zoe, Lily, Owen and Evan. He also leaves his sister-in-law, Gail Pendergast, a niece, a nephew, a cousin, and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday July 6th from 3-7PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park Street, New Bedford. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, July 7th at 11 AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at St. James Church, 233 County Street, New Bedford. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Fairhaven. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.