Griffith B. Lewis

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: Manager in a machine shop, 1940, Colonie Town, Albany, New York. From 1940 Census

• Residence: From 1940 Census, 1940, Colonie Town, Albany, New York. Griffith B Lewis
First Name: Griffith
Middle Name: B
Last Name: Lewis
Age at Time of Census: 34
Gender: Male
Race: White
Ethnicity: American
Estimated Birth Year: 1906
Birth Location: New York
Enumeration District: Jan-46
Residence: Colonie Town, Albany, NY Map
Relationship to Head of Household: Head
Other People in Household:
Dorothy Lewis, 32 yrs, Female
Griffith Lewis, 4 yrs, Male
Donald Lewis, 3 yrs, Male

• Obituary: Newspapepr clipping at Fulton History com, 9 Jun 2001, Guilderland, Rensselaer, New York. June 9, 2001

Griffith B. Lewis Griffith B. Lewis, 98, a longtime resident of Boght Road, Watervliet, died Thursday evening, June 7, 2001 at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center in Guilderland, N.Y. Born in Troy, N.Y. on Feb. 23, 1903, he was the last surviving son of 17 children born to the late Griffith Martin and Adelaide Bertrand Lewis.

"Griff," as many knew him, grew up on the family's six-acre farm in Colonie, N.Y. Shortly after marrying a "beautiful Irish Lass," the former Dorothy Kelly from Troy, N.Y. on Aug. 17, 1929, he built his own home on the same property. The couple raised their family and maintained their home there for over 60 years. Their marriage endured for over 71 years until Mrs. Lewis' death on March 12, 2001. During the Great Depression, Mr. Lewis started his career working along with his father at the Wilcox and Gibbs Sewing Machine Company of Troy, N.Y., rising to the level of manager. Using his skills as a master mechanic, inventor and administrator, he emerged in 1945 to take over as president of Hagaman Industries, a floundering business in Hagaman, N. Y. After four years of success as a manufacturer of recreational and canvas boat products, Mr. Lewis went on to found Barlow Manufacturing Company, Inc., in Amsterdam, N.Y.

For the next 23 years he designed, invented and manufactured many ballistic protective devices for the Department of Defense. His company was one of the only four companies supplying critical protective items to the Army during the Korean and Vietnam wars. Mr. Lewis held several patents for his inventive use of bulletproof nylon and fuel transport products. For his efforts, Mr. Lewis was cited by the Department of Defense as "Supplier of the Year" by the Chrysler Tank Plant in Detroit, Mich. Remaining loyal to the workers and community of Amsterdam, in 1972 he expanded his company to 150 employees and along with the assistance of this sons, founded Breton Industries, Inc. On any given day, Mr. Lewis could be found working in his office where his walls were adorned with blueprint drawings, patterns and napkin-scribblings of his latest inventions as well as accolades and awards, such as the "Prime Contractor of the Year" from the U.S. Small Business Department, Region 2, sponsored by the Watervliet Arsenal in Watervliet, N.Y. He received the award in Washington D.C. by then- President Ronald Regan and New York State Senator Alfonse D'Amato. Resolutions recognizing his achievement were also received from the New York State Senate and Assembly in special ceremonies. He continued to serve as president of Breton Industries, Inc. until 1987 and remained as an active consultant until his death.

Mr. Lewis enjoyed traveling the world for both business and pleasure. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and traveled around the world in search of wild game. His expeditions ranged from the freezing wilds of Alaska and Canada to the broiling deserts of Kenya ,where he explored and hunted on safari with his sons. Trophies of Kodiak bear, mountain goat, elk, moose and antelope filled his home's family room as a testament to his hunting skill. As a fisherman, Mr. Lewis held a record in Nova Scotia for a single-line catch of a 625-pound tuna fish.

Mr. Lewis was a long-time communicant of St. Patrick's Church in Watervliet, where he served as parish council member and on various committees. In 1983, sponsored by the Most Rev. Howard J. Hubbard, DD, Bishop of Albany, Mr. Lewis was installed as a Knight in the American Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in a ceremony that was held in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. His tireless efforts and unselfish generosity to his family, friends and all who knew and loved him will remain his legacy.

He is survived by his four loving sons and their spouses, G. Richard Lewis and his wife Maryrose of Latham, N.Y., Ronald J. Lewis and his wife Barbara of Yuba City, Calif., Gary T. Lewis and his wife Patricia of Philadelphia, Pa., and Peter A. Lewis and his wife Glenda of Scotia, N.Y.; his cherished grandchildren, Kristin Grice, Karen Schuler, G. Eric Lewis, Randy Lewis, Lorrie Reynolds, Lanceton Lewis, Marielle Martin, Michael, Jason and Jeffrey Lewis; his dear sisters, Mildred Connolly of Troy, N.Y. and Leona Ekstrom of Guilderland, N.Y.; his special nieces and nephew, Mary Beth Pazzula of Niskayuna, Jane Ann Fitzmaurice of Poestenkill and Brother John Wilson, FSC of New Jersey and 13 adoring great-grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are invited and may also call at the Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway, Watervliet, N.Y., from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Monday in St. Patrick's Church, Watervliet. Interment will follow in Memory's Garden in Colonie, N.Y. Contributions may be made to the LaSalle Institute Scholarship Fund, 174 Williams Road, Troy, NY 12180, in memory of Griffith B. Lewis.

Griffith married Dorothy G. Kelly, daughter of George R. Kelly and Margaret A. Cassidy, on 17 Aug 1929 in Troy, Rensselaer, New York. (Dorothy G. Kelly was born on 9 Dec 1905 in Troy, Rensselaer, New York and died on 12 Mar 2001 in Albany, Rensselaer, New York.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• Marriage Banns: From 1930 Census. Dorothy is living with her parents. Her last name is listed as Griffith and she is listed as married. Her husband is not listed in the household.

• Marriage Announcement: The Troy Times, Saturday Evening, Page 15, 20 Apr 1929, Troy, Rensselaer, New York. Announca Engagement.

Mr. and Mrs. George R. Kelly announce the engagement of their daughter Dorothy Grace to Griffith B. Lewis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Griffith M. Lewis of Watarvliet. The wedding will take place in August.

• Wedding: The Troy Times, Saturday Evening, Page 14, 17 Aug 1929, Troy, Rensselaer, New York. Miss Dorothy G. Kelly And G. B. Lewis Wed

Miss Dorothy Grace Kelly, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Kelly of 268 Ninth Street and Griffith B. Lewis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Griffith M. Lewis of Watervliet, were married at 8 o'clock this morning at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle. Rev. Joseph F. Morahan performed the ceremony.

Miss Theresa Hennessy presided at the organ and Miss Irene Nagle sang "Ave Maria" and "On This Day, O Beautiful Mother." Miss Margaret M. Kelly, sister of the bride, was maid of honor. The best man was LeRoy Lewis, brother of the groom, Arthur J. Tracey and Arthur Walkinshaw were ushers.

The bride wore a gown of white chiffon over white satin with a white horsehair hat and carried a bouquet of bridal roses and lilies, of the valley. The maid of honor wore crushed rose chiffon with hat and slippers of the same shade and carried a shower bouquet of pink roses. A breakfast was served" at the bride's home for the members of the immediate families after the ceremony.

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis left by motor for Buffalo, Canada and Erie, Pa. The bride's traveling costume was a dark green chiffon velvet ensemble with hat and slippers to correspond.

• Anniversary: The Times Record, Thursday Evening, 28 Aug 1969, Troy, Rensselaer, New York. Lewises Feted On 40th Anniversary

Mr. and Mrs. Griffith B. Lewis, 136 Boght Road, Watervliet, were guests of honor at a luncheon given by thier sons to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary, August 17. The affair was held in Olean, where they were, attending the mariage of their youngest son.

Hosts included: Mr. and Mrs. G. Richard Lewis and children Kristen, Karen and Eric, Latham; Mr. and Mrs. Ronald J. Lewis, San Jose, Calif.; Mr. and Mrs. Gary T. Lewis, Norristown, Pa., Mr. and Mrs. Peter A. Lewis, Olean.

A formal family portrait was taken and the couple was presented with the engraved sterling silver picture frame as a remembrance of the occasion. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis were married Aug. 17, 1929, in St. Paul the Apostle Church, Troy. The late Mrs. H. Guy Wilson was maid of honor. The bridegroom's brother, LeRoy Lewis, was best man.

Mr. Lewis is president of Barlow Mfg. Co., Inc., of Amsterdam, textile fabricaters.