SOUTH PARIS – Robert Dean Lewis Sr., 84, of Mechanic Falls, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 29, after a long illness. He had been a resident of the Maine Veterans Home for the last few months.

He was born in Mechanic Falls on Jan. 11, 1923, the son of George E. and Gladys L. Cox Lewis. He moved to Boston, Mass., when he was 5 years old.

He was educated in Boston schools and college. He worked at many different jobs over the years, his last being at Davis & Furber in Andover, Mass., as a manufacturing engineer. He retired from there in 1981, due to his health. He moved back to Mechanic Falls with his family in 1978.

He served in World War II in the 82nd Airborne, and was combat wounded. He served in the Battle of the Bulge, Normandy, Rhineland, Ardennes and central Europe. He received many declarations and citations including the Purple Heart, American Defense Service medal and the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon. He was a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Tyrian Lodge No. 18, Scottish Rite, Valley of Portland, Dunlap Council No. 8, Lewiston Commandery, St. Andrews RAC No. 51, Kora Temple Shrine, and the Eastern Star. He was a life member of the American Legion Post No. 150 in Mechanic Falls, D.A.V. Chapter 11, past Master of the Oxford Grange No. 46, member of the Pomona Grange No. 2, and a state and national member of the Grange.

He belonged to Minot Avenue Baptist Church for 26 years. More recently, when he was able, he attended Grace Fellowship Church in Oxford. He will be remembered fondly by his family for all the family gatherings, annual Father’s Day cookouts, playing board games, doing puzzles and playing horseshoes.

As well as the knowledge he shared with them and his big words that he used to teach all of us, he always knew what they all meant. He enjoyed playing with all of his grandchildren.

He was proud to share his birthday with his granddaughter, Katie. They had 14 birthdays together.

He leaves his loving wife of 43 years, Betty; their six loving children, daughters, Kelly and husband, David Dyer, of Hebron, Robin and husband, Lee Ellingwood of South Paris, Bonnie and husband, Corry Pratt, of Auburn, and Betty and husband, James Ostrander, of Minot; sons, Scott Lewis and wife, Judy, of West Paris, and George Lewis and his wife, Kim, of Oxford; as well as three loving children from his first marriage to Mildred (Gately) Lewis, daughters, Millie and husband, Everett Ellis, of Conway, S.C., Nancy and husband, Don Barley, of Groton, Conn.; and a son, Robert (Bobby) Lewis and wife Susan of Henniker, N.H.; 28 grandchildren, Debbie and husband, David Hadley, of Chelmsford, Mass., Lori and husband. Allan Moone. of Goffstown, N.H., Cindy and husband. Doug Small, of Conway, S.C., Chuck and wife, Kathy, of Andover, N.H., Kristyn and husband, Aaron Walton, of Groton, Conn., Donnie Barley and Jesse Ross of Newport, R.I., Jesse and wife, Ali Lewis, of Henniker, N.H., Christopher, Kimberly and Katie Dyer of Hebron, Rebecca, Jennifer, Rachel and Ben Field, Alex, Lindsay, and Erica Ellingwood all of South Paris, Cassandra Starkweather of Hillsboro, N.H., Sheena and Joseph Lewis of West Paris, Sarah, George and Austin Lewis of Bridgeport, Conn., Hannah and Caleb of Oxford, Jason Lewis of Minot, Connor Pratt of Auburn, Kevin Gagne of Minot, and Jen, Heather and Michael Chisholm of Danville; 14 great-grandchildren, Lindsay, Jamie, Allison and Julie Hadley of Chelmsford, Mass., Ryan and Amanda Moone of Goffstown, N.H., Leeann Small of Conway, S.C., Samantha, Brooke and Adam Ellis of Andover, N.H., Cameron, Jason and Jacob Walton of Groton, Conn., and a new great-granddaughter, Charlotte Grace Barley of Newport, R.I.

He was predeceased by two brothers, Harvey Emerson Lewis and Harcourt Allen Lewis; and a great grandson, Aaron David Hadley.

His family would like to thank the Veterans Home staff for the great care he received while there, Dr. Medd, who took care of him for many years, and Dr. Kumaki, for his care during his stay at the Veterans Home. We would also like to thank Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice.