Obituary of Thomas Collins Lewis

Thomas Collins Lewis, our beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away on December 11, 2020. Tom was born on May 30, 1940, the only child of William and Catherine. He spent his happy childhood in Glenolden, and went to Interboro High School, where in his senior year in 1958, he was voted “Most Talkative,” which, as anyone knows, was fitting. He then went to Temple University, where he majored in journalism, and more importantly, met Carmella. In 1967, Tom married Carmella after several years of friendship. A year later, Jennifer was born, then Chris in 1970. As Carmella says, “We just had no bad times.” While there surely had to be some, they were not enough to cloud the memory of wonderful marriage and family life. Tom and Carmella were devoted and by each other’s side until the end. Meanwhile, after a stint in the Air Force, Tom’s career progressed, first at Equitable, then at William M Mercer, where he worked for twenty-five years, becoming an executive there. Though his responsibilities there were numerous and undoubtedly stressful, he never “brought this home,” and bore any burden alone. No matter what pressures were present at work, he was the same husband and Dad to us. To say that Tom was “beloved” at Mercer is not overstating; Chris saw this firsthand. Also, during his time there, Chris learned the lesson that all people should be treated with respect and kindness, as Tom gave everyone that, from the most important client to the newest trainee. In 1995, Tom retired, enabling him to enjoy a full twenty-five years of retirement. This enabled Tom to not only spend more time with Carmella and his family, including his own parents with whom he was lucky to have such a long relationship, but to pursue his hobbies. Tom continued to spend much time in the Great Outdoors, whether it was in the woods near his Poconos retreat or in the Serengeti. Definitely, these years were filled with happy times hunting and fishing. Tom even revisited his avocation of journalism, writing several articles about his outdoor endeavors in sports periodicals. When Tom wasn’t visiting his children, and then two grandchildren, he and Carmella loved travel, and travel they did. They traveled throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa, to countries too numerous to list, with many stops in Paris, Tom and Carmella’s “Happy Place.” I think that it shows what kind of person that Tom was that his good nature and friendliness enabled Tom to make life-long international friends on these trips, such as an ambassador to Tanzania, who would often make “Bwana Tom’s” house his unofficial rest stop when worn down by the rigors of his position. While we all would have wanted many more years with our husband, father, or grandfather, we are comforted in the knowledge that, as was his hope, he truly died peaceably in his sleep, without a day of sickness, active to the end. Before going to sleep, his last words to Carmella were “I love you.” We also are comforted in the realization that Tom will live on. His guidance to his children forever shaped them, and his lessons will live on in them, and in his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Carmella, his daughter, Jennifer (Frank), his son Chris (Dana), and two grandchildren, Danielle and Willa. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Pet Adoption and Lifecare Society palscatrescue.org or the Delco Anglers and Conservationists, Checks Payable to Delco Anglers and Conservationist, c/o Kenneth Grandel, 567 Lamp Post Lane, Aston Pa 19064-2629, delcoanglers.org Services and Interment will be private.