Atkinson feels loss of popular businessman
By John Basilesco
Staff Writer
ATKINSON — Lifelong resident and local businessman Peter Lewis died doing what he loved most — cutting hay on his farm on Salem Road.
Lewis, 68, who had been battling cancer for the past year, was cutting hay Wednesday morning when he suffered a heart attack, according to his brother.
Steven Lewis said his brother had undergone a chemotherapy treatment Tuesday and had been doing much better.
"He died doing what he loved doing," Lewis said, his voice breaking. "It was a beautiful day. He was out on his tractor cutting hay. That was his true passion — farming."
While he operated a small cattle farm, his main business was Lewis Builders in Atkinson, one of the largest building companies in New Hampshire, his brother said. Along with building houses and condominiums, the company built Atkinson Country Club in the 1990s.
Born and raised on a large dairy farm in town, Peter Lewis lived in Atkinson his whole life.
He was an active member of the community. He helped Atkinson in many ways — often behind the scenes — his brother and friends said. This included helping create Atkinson's new town center on Academy Avenue.
"We are all going to feel a great loss in this community with the passing of Peter Lewis," selectmen's Chairman Paul Sullivan said. "Peter is citizen of the decade, if not citizen of the century, for the town of Atkinson."
He served on countless town committees and task forces, helping with a wide variety of projects, including the town center and a new library.
"He was honest, direct and a very private individual," Sullivan said. "His company built residential neighborhoods in Atkinson and, more recently, it built the landmark Atkinson Country Club, which put Atkinson on the map. He had a vision and he built that restaurant and the country club that is enjoyed by many people in this town and surrounding towns."
Police Chief Philip Consentino, a longtime friend, said, "Peter and I were close friends. It's almost a lifetime we have known each other. Only six months in age separated us. I'm sure going to miss him. One of the big differences between Peter and I is that when we got in trouble, I always got caught, but he never did."
Martin Feuer, another longtime friend, said, "I think he will be missed by all the citizens of Atkinson. He always had the interests of Atkinson and its citizens at heart. He's done a lot of wonderful things for a lot of people. He was a very quiet fellow, unassuming, and always willing to lend a hand no matter what the situation was."
Feuer said he will never forget the time his sawmill roof caved in many years ago under the weight of heavy snow. Lewis and his father came over and spent a couple of days rebuilding the roof. They wouldn't take a penny for their efforts, Feuer said.
"He would always be the one that would show up if there was any work to be done in town," Feuer said. "He was always willing to help any group that needed any assistance with both his time and also with his funds."
Along with Lewis Builders, Lewis owned Hampstead Water Co. and East Coast Lumber, a popular business on Route 111 in Hampstead that he owned with one of Feuer's sons.
Stephen Lewis said his brother remained humble despite his business success.
Even though he was the owner of Lewis Builders, it wasn't unusual to see him operating construction equipment or handling a shovel side by side with his employees at a construction site, Lewis said.
"He came from very modest beginnings and everything he had he worked for and earned," Lewis said. "We grew up in a house with no central heating or running water."
"He was a self-made man. He didn't go to college, but he had an abstract ability to look at problems and find solutions that other people wouldn't see. He could look at some land and know just how a street should be built on it, including the drainage."
Peter Lewis is survived by his wife, Alice, two children and four grandchildren.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
ATKINSON's Vietnam HONOR ROLL as VOTED and PASSED by 2005 Town Meeting and re-approved at Special Town Meeting Sept. 12
EDITORIAL-
A voice of compassion, an example of fairness and reasonable government.
One who believes in the strength and comfort you, your children and your family can draw from good government leadership.
A person who knows Atkinson is our home -- our most important possession that must be preserved and protected through fair taxes and sound community planning and where our children must be safe to grow to become a new generation of leaders.
One who knows that the citizens of Atkinson are all neighbors with her leadership to be dedicated and responsive to all.
One who believes that when those from Atkinson have served our nation and honors are deserved, those honors must be given.
In Valerie Tobin, we now have a leader we know we can entrust with these responsibilities because they are part of her character.
It is our honor to endorse Valerie for election to Atkinson’s Board of Selectmen.
Just a note for those who wish to count the deer.
In January 08 this blog had 16,000 hits and 1,500 unique visitors (for the month).
In 2007 this blog had over 100,000 hits and 5,750 unique visitors (for the year).
In 2007 this blog had over 100,000 hits and 5,750 unique visitors (for the year).
EDITORIAL-
"I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense . . ." [TP, 1776]
We take no small measure of umbrage at such a hostile official act against this BLOG’s patron. Therefore, a timely Editorial comment is both appropriate and necessary.
Discussion of Atkinson’s financial direction, from any viewpoint, is fundamental and encouraged and we will always attempt to limit and correct errors.
However, Righteous indignation towards purported error of such inconsequential nature is not appropriate.
The ENTIRE car deal is problematic. If it was caused by poor judgement, improper exercise of authority, neglect or mistake or even specious reasoning, this will never trump the facts that the entire questionable transaction started and ended within a very small circle of confidants.
We find the entire circumstances surrounding the disposition of the police Cruiser highly irregular at the least and the "explanations" somewhat trifling and exhaustive of our intellect.
Mr. Consentino: It’s time to go. Being Chief of Atkinson’s Police Department is NOT a birthright. That is a fabled legend of yesteryear.
Historically in Atkinson, police chief appointments were made "under the hand of the selectmen" for terms of one year at a time, as was also the case in the beginning of Mr. Consentino’s assorted and discontinuous stream of appointments to this position.
Your only remaining credential established on a claim of indispensability has faded.
So time is neigh. Plan a graceful exit, Clean out your desk, Accept the gratitude and tearful sentiments from some. We plan no editorial recriminations. It is time. Thank you for your service, We wish you a long and happy retirement. Bon Voyage.
LETTER
"To All Atkinson Residents,
I am writing to ask for your help. A member of the Atkinson Police Department needs our help. I am here to ask for your help in Corporal John Lapham's fight for his life. As you are aware, John has been diagnosed with Leukemia. He has been once again hospitalized with an infection that is threatening his life. He is one of the bravest people that I have ever met. He has never asked of anything from the residents of the town. Now is our chance to step up and help both him and his family out. As everyone is aware John has been out of work for a few months. His family has been busy helping John to get better. He needs our help, and I am hoping that this town can step up to the plate and help. From the moment that I met John, I have admired him. He does alot, but never asks for anything in return. He has helped so many people in this town. I for one am one of those people. Please help him.
There is a fund set-up in his name at TDBanknorth in Plaistow. Any amount will help John, while he is out of work. It would be great if this town could help ease a burden off his wife.
Thank You
Also if anyone would like to send a card, please address it to:
John Lapham
c/o Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Ctr.
Inpatient mail
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115
United States
Please show Corporal John Lapham, that this community can stand up and show our support to those in need. I for one, miss John and can not wait until he can get better and return to work. Please show him that we support him. "
8 comments:
I am sorry for the family's loss.
I came to know Peter when I signed up for the Atkinson Building Needs Committee way back when we were working to find a place for and build a town garage. Next came the fire station - far more ambitious - and the first pass at the new library - which didn't fly with the voters. I learned a lot from him. He listened! At times we would flap around, throwing ideas and opinions here and there and eventually Peter would say something like "well, we've got to look at this first, then do this and the rest will come easy", and he was dead on! Knowing my interest in town history - the early days - he would tell me stories about when he was growing up and what it was like and the things they did as kids. Fun stuff! He helped out with so many things - getting the cable equip up to the Dyke Aud. for deliberative sessions, providing transportation for the Historical Society so we could have floats in the Memorial Day parade. These are just some that I am aware of. He was a busy man with a lot of irons in the fire, but he was never too busy to stop and answer a question or return a call. He was a good man, and I will miss him.
I, too, will miss Pete Lewis.
I have heard people villify him for business practices, and disparage his intelligence, because of his manner, but that is what they do not understand.
Pete was the most "regular guy" you could meet. He was a man of few words, but would answer your questions, or have a chat with you, whenever. He was passionate about, and had definite ideas on governmental, and international finance. He was very aware of things going on in other countries, as well as Concord, and Washington, and could hold forth in conversation about them. He was a man easily underestimated, to the fault of the one casting judgement.
I am glad to have known him.
A few years ago I was going through a very rough time financially - Peter took a calf in trade for some hay so my livestock would have food. I suspect that's not the first or last time he did something like that. Rest in Peace Mr. Lewis, may flights of angels see you to your rest.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Lapham Family. John will be greatly missed. You could not have a more stand up guy then John. He fought the fight and held on for as long as he could.
I too feel for the families loss but lets face it, he was a builder and developer and destoyed a lot of land in town to his gain and his gain only.
Is that what you think builders and developers do?
His various companies paid an extraordinary amount of taxes which benefitted the community, as well as the taxes his employees paid.
He sponsored little league teams, he volunteered on many, many town boards, and over the years, whenever a project of his came before a board he was on, he recused himself, WITHOUT having to be ordered by a Court!
He was excellent on budget committee asking tough questions of everyone. He was very good on planning and ZBA, bringing a view point sadly lacking on those boards.
As a business man he built affordable homes, which many resident live in today. He built a country club that is among the nicest in the state.
Pete Lewis did a lot of good in town and was rarely recognized for it.
My mom always said if you can't say something nice say nothing at all.
Show some respect!
Mark,
Well said! While I've been critical of Lewis Builders in previous posts, I've always made it a point to criticize the company and not the person. While I never knew him personally, I've heard enough about him to know he was a good man. Very rarely, in life, are there "black and white" situations.
My sympathies go out to the Lewis family in these difficult times. Having lost my father very suddenly under similar circumstances, I can sympathize with what they are going through and I hope, before anyone posts something negative about Mr. Lewis, they think, before they write!
Post a Comment