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.
I am sorry for the family's loss.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI, too, will miss Pete Lewis.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteMy 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteIs that what you think builders and developers do?
ReplyDeleteHis 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,
ReplyDeleteWell 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!