Albert Lester “Les” Lewis
January 31, 1940 - December 3, 2025
Albert Lester “Les” Lewis, age 85, of Sparta, NC, and formerly of Newark, DE, passed away on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
Born in Newark, DE on January 31, 1940, he was a son of the late Conrad King Dolby and Arzie Wheatley (Phillips) Lewis. Les spent the majority of his career working for W.L. Gore & Associates, retiring in 2010 after 32 years.
Les served his country in the Army as a SP5, Electrical Instrument Repairman completing a tour of duty in France from 1960-1963. It was during this tour that he fell in love with the Austin Healey, including having the opportunity to race them.
A lifelong enthusiast of classic automobiles, he was a proud member of the Austin Healey Club of America and the Austin Healey Sports and Touring Club Brandywine Region. He owned several Austin Healeys and with his wife Shawn took home numerous awards at the many car shows they attended over the years. He and his wife often enjoyed days exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway in their classic cars. Everyone who visited them was offered a ride in a Healey.
His hobbies also included woodworking, and he had an extensive woodworking shop which he would make items for both family and friends. He also enjoyed trains in both prototype and model form, including having a large G scale outdoor garden railroad at one time.
In addition to his hobbies, Les was at home at the grill, cooking everything from juicy steaks to burgers and dogs, to BBQ brisket, pork, and even smoking whole hogs. He and his wife also enjoyed their many standard poodles over the years. Les also enjoyed traveling with his wife Shawn, along with other family and friends, hiking, snow skiing, white water rafting/tubing/canoeing, and snowmobiling. He especially enjoyed watching the birds, deer, and other wildlife at his home in Sparta, NC, and just spending time with both family and friends.
Committed to his fraternal community, Les was the last remaining charter member of Solomon Lodge No.36 A.F. & A.M.
In addition to his parents, Les was preceded in death by his siblings, Miriam L. Ayars, Conrad K. D. Lewis, John E. Lewis, and James P. Lewis. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Shawn Lee (Benton) Lewis; children, Ian Clarke Lewis (Melissa), and Eric MacCionnaith Lewis (Margaret Alexander); sister, Nancy Buckingham (Lewis); and grandchildren, Sage, Claus, and Cali.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 10:50 am on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, where a Masonic service will begin at 10:50 am, followed by a funeral service at 11 am. Interment will follow in Head of Christiana Cemetery, 1104 West Church Road, Newark, DE.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Les’ memory to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 or online by clicking here; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online by clicking here; or to the USO, United Service Organizations, P.O. Box 96860, Washington, DC 20077-7677 or by clicking here.
Roger & Astrid Bono
Dear Shawn,
We are sending our heart felt condolences to you and your family at this time. I remember the quick wit and smile from Les, really a fine gentleman. A pleasure to know.
May the Healey’s continue to roar in remembrance, every time you go for a spin.
Kindly,
Roger & Astrid Bono
Georgetown, Texas
Nigel Smart
So sorry to hear news of Les. He was a rare person and someone I always enjoyed spending time with.
We will never forget the wonderful games that you both created and shared during our Christmas parties!
Let’s think of Les having gone on ahead of us all to the Healey haven in the here after.
I’m sure he’d like that vision. Be well,from your friends in West Chester.
Nigel Smart.
Shirl Stoops
Shawn,
I’m so very sorry for your loss.
Les was like a father to me. He was my first mentor at Gore, he was tough on me, he was also very compassionate, fun and witty. He bought me the book “A Christmas Cup of Tea” after my mother passed away. He read it to me and to this day every Christmas I get the book out and read it to my granddaughters.
I remember when he fell in love with you, every time he talked about you I could see and feel how deeply he loved you.
Please accept my deepest condolences 💛
Ross Jones
Shawn my sincere condolences wish I could be there for you at this time. I always enjoyed coming up to seeing you, Les & the girls. Les always had a great smile and great conversations. I also know that you were the center of his attention even when the stories he would tell and you were the one getting made fun of. He would talk about the Healeys but you were always including in those stories because he enjoyed the drives with you by his side. My sincere condolences to you and the family at this time and may god be with you always.
Love you cousin,
Ross
Craig and Debbie Peterson
Shawn,
We were so deeply saddened to hear about Les. He was a great husband and a wonderful friend. We will always treasure the memories with you and Les. The cabin at the lake, the fun on our boat, the back yard barbeques and Lauren’s graduation party with the old band in your back yard. We drifted apart (North Carolina and Florida) but we didn’t drift away. We love you forever!
Craig and Debbie Peterson