Joseph Walter Lewis, Jr.

Joseph Walter Lewis, Jr., 90, of Park Street, Attleboro, died on Sunday, February 26, 2012 at the Life Care Center of Attleboro. He was the beloved husband of the late Ruth E. (Dalton) Lewis to whom he was married on March 2, 1946 at St. John the Evangelist Church, Attleboro and who died on December 9, 2002. Born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on April 25, 1921, he was a son of the late Joseph W. Lewis, Sr. and Della (Hanley) Lewis. He moved to the City of Attleboro in 1922 and remained a resident since that time. Mr. Lewis attended Attleboro schools and graduated from Monsignor Coyle High School in Taunton in 1939 and from Providence College in 1942. He proudly served with the United States Army from February 13, 1943 until his honorable discharge on January 4, 1946 having achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, the Victory Medal and the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon. While in the service, Mr. Lewis was a member of the 448th Military Police Company having been stationed in Reykjavik, Iceland. Mr. Lewis was employed by the Division of Employment Security from 1946 - 1980 when he retired as the claims manager of the Attleboro office. From 1981 - 2005, Mr. Lewis was employed part-time for Locust Valley Golf Course in Attleboro. He was a coach and official with the Little Attleboro League from 1962 - 1970 and was the former president of the Briggs Corner Welfare Association. Mr. Lewis served under four mayors as a member of the former Development and Industrial Committee for the City of Attleboro from 1964 - 1978 and was a member of the Attleboro Redevelopment Authority from 1967 - 1978 having served as Chairman for one term. Mr. Lewis was a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church in Attleboro and will be lovingly remembered for his quick wit and keen sense of humor. He leaves a son: Braden R. Lewis of Attleboro; two daughters: Mary-Ellen Split and her husband, Paul F. Split, of Bourne and Elizabeth J. Lewis of Attleboro; two grandsons: Christopher J. Split of Norton and Brian J. Split of Plymouth; a great granddaughter: Victoria Split of Norton; a step great granddaughter: Brianna Cunningham of Norton; a sister-in-law: Gertrude Dalton of North Attleboro; lifelong friends: Raymond and Beatrice Gallup and their family of East Dennis and several nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation with Veterans Honors on Thursday, March 1, 2012 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend the funeral on Friday, March 2, 2012 on what would have been Mr. and Mrs. Lewis' 66th wedding anniversary at 8:45 AM from the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in St. John the Evangelist Church, 122 North Main Street - Route 152, Attleboro. Burial with military honors will follow in St. John's Cemetery, West Street, Attleboro. Following cemetery services an invitiation will be extended to join the family for a time of continued fellowship and refreshments at a location to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mr. Lewis' name may be made to The Emmett Larkin Memorial Fund, 1505 Park Street - Suite 310, Attleboro, MA 02703. For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200.