Final Salute

CAPTAIN HAROLD LEWIS U.S. Navy, Retired Harold M.J. “Hal” Lewis, Jr., 80, passed away at home, Oct. 22, 2008, following a seven-month battle with throat cancer. He was born in Albany, N.Y., Jan. 28, 1928, to Harold Michael and Elizabeth Gabrielle Lewis. The oldest of three children, Hal attended Central Catholic High School and Siena College in Troy, N.Y., and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1952. Following graduation, Hal married the former Betty Boone of Bethesda, Md. The military wedding with the traditional Arch of Swords began 28 years of life in the Navy, followed by a second career in the aerospace industry. As an ordnance engineering specialist, Hal participated in the original Polaris missile development, firing the first sea-launched Polaris from the U.S.S. Observation Island, the Navy’s laboratory test ship, and later, as test engineer for the first SSBN (submarine) launch. He served as operations officer, executive officer and commanding officer in destroyers and in five cruiser-destroyer flotilla staff positions from Lieutenant to Captain. In 1969, Princess Grace hosted a July 4th reception at Monaco Palace for senior officers under his command. After his final Washington tour as Vice Commander of the Naval Ordnance, Hal completed active duty as Range Director, Pacific Missile Test Range, Point Mugu, Calif., where he received the Legion of Merit from the President of the United States. Retiring in 1980, Hal began a second career in the test range business with Computer Sciences Corp., as vice president of Applied Technology Division operating at Edwards AFB, Calif. Later, he consulted for Northrup Grumman Corporation. Hal is survived by his wife, of 56 years, Betty; and six children, Jim Lewis and wife, Jennifer, of Reno, Kathi Lewis of Las Vegas, Marta Griffith and husband, Bill, of Melbourne, Fla., Lisa Lewis of Valencia, Calif., Paul Lewis and wife, Karen, of Melbourne, and Steve Lewis and wife, Annie, of Las Vegas. He is also blessed with 12 grandchildren, Bill and Bob Griffith, Trevor, Colin and Bowen Laly, Garrett Nugent, Boone and Rachael Lewis, Peyton, Reagan and Tyler Lewis and Jon Pillar. Hal was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Lewis Keeley; and is survived by his brother, James Henry Lewis of New York City. Hal was known for his many craftsman talents, creating beautiful traditional furniture, as well as refinishing antique pieces. He was always at his best when playing golf with his three sons and providing fatherly advice to his three daughters. Hal’s tremendous love of his family will be cherished by all who knew him. Memorial Mass will be held at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 3, at St. Thomas More Catholic Community, 130 N. Pecos Road, Henderson, NV 89074. Interment will be at at a later date at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Living Grace Home, P.O. Box 60416, Las Vegas, NV 89160.