Obituary of Richard W. Lewis

Eight Bells has finally sounded for Richard (Rick) W. Lewis, of Walden and Poughkeepsie, NY, who passed away on 9/20/2023. Born in Burlington, VT on September 16, 1943, Rick was the son of the late Lawrence H. (Larry) Lewis, former Director of Physical Education at F.D. Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park from 1941 to 1962 and the late Betsey Shuttleworth Lewis of Burlington, VT. He was 80 years old.

          Rick grew up in Hyde Park, NY and attended the Hyde Park school system. He graduated from FD Roosevelt High School, class of ’61, lettering in basketball, crew, and soccer. On April 17, 1966, Rick married his best friend, Barbara Joan McCormack at St. Joseph’s Church in Poughkeepsie who, after a 53- marriage, passed away on May 29, 2019. They were always together, except on Sundays in the Spring and Fall, when Rick went sailing.

          Upon graduation from High School, Rick joined the United States Navy, serving from 1961 to 1964. He obtained the rank of Interior Communications Electrician Technician, Third class (IC3) while serving aboard  the destroyer William C Lawe, DD763 and is a Viet Nam Era Veteran. He held a Secret security clearance.

          Completing his military service, Rick then embarked on a banking career spanning 48 years as a Branch Manager and Commercial Lender. He worked for Household Finance Corporation, Marine Midland Bank, Barclays Bank of New York, PLC, The Bank of New York, Empire State Bank and finally retired from Riverside Bank on July 5, 2014. Over the course of his career, he earned the Basic, General and Standard Certificates from the American Institute of Banking.

          He enjoyed carpentry, Pistol shooting, skiing and spent over 30 years playing softball for various City and Town of Poughkeepsie Leagues. He enjoyed all participant sports and was definitely not one to be a spectator. Most of all, he loved sailing. Especially spending 25 years racing sailboats on the Hudson or anywhere, during the Spring and Fall.

Rick was very involved with the communities that he worked in and believed in giving back by serving on the Board of Directors and/or becoming a member of various organizations such as : the New Paltz Chamber of Commerce (Emeritus), Dutchess and Ulster County United Ways, New Platz Downtown Businessmen’s Association, Anderson Center For Autism (Emeritus), Childcare Council of Dutchess & Putnam, Inc, the Kingston Sailing Club and a Paul Harris Fellow with the New Platz Rotary Club. Rick also sponsored the Coach Larry Lewis Athletic Scholarship Award at F.D. Roosevelt High School. His final act was becoming a volunteer organ donor.

          Survivors include his three children: Kimberly A. Coppola and her husband John of Cantor, GA, Keith R. Lewis and his wife Theresa of Walden, NY and Derek L. Lewis and his wife Kelci of Leland, North Carolina, Grandchildren Anthony Coppola and his wife Cecilia, Jaclyn Coppola-Fleischer and her husband John, Sean Coppola, Riley Lewis, Ryan Lewis and great granddaughters, Lillian and Joanna Mae Coppola. Also surviving are his brother and sister-in-law, Lawrence  (Larry) H. Lewis, Jr and his wife Joyce of Farmville, NC, plus many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

          “ Days is done, gone the sun, from the lake, from the hill, from the sky. All is well, safely rest. God is nigh.”

          Visitation will be held on September 26, 2023 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. Services will be held at 7:00pm following visitation. As per his wishes cremation will take place following the services. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.