Richard Lewis

PEARL RIVER, N.Y. — Richard "Dick" Cyrus Lewis, 86, of Pearl River peacefully entered eternal rest Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020.

Dick was born Jan. 16, 1934, in Jackson. He began painting as a child and continued to draw and paint throughout his young life. During his senior year at Jackson High School, Dick won a scholarship to attend Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida.

Dick enlisted in the U.S. Army and, in addition to his military duties, continued to create art and receive recognition for his artistic talents. Following his military service, Dick continued art studies in New York City at Parsons School of Design, School of Visual Arts, Art Students League and The New School.

Dick began a career in commercial art with John G. Myers Co. department store in Albany, New York, where he was hired as a fashion illustrator. It was there he met Kathleen Lucia of Plattsburgh, New York, whom he married Sept. 8, 1959. Over the years, Dick held positions as an illustrator and layout artist for fashion advertising with Burdines department store in Miami and Gimbels department store in New York City, and advanced to become an art director for Sears Roebuck and Co. in New York City, the Catholic New York newspaper and The May Company (Caldor Inc.) in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Dick was a prolific artist in many different media and genres. He enjoyed playing the piano, dancing, sharing time with his family and friends, being the life of the party, and making the world a little more colorful. Dick was a teacher and mentor of painting, drawing, color theory and story board layout at Parsons School of Design, Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, Dominican College in Orangeburg, New York, and in private instruction. He provided freelance work for The New York Times and other publications; for play and musical productions at off-Broadway theaters, Radio City Music Hall, The Kennedy Center, among others; and for several promotional marketing campaigns including J.C. Penney, Trans World Airlines and Avon. For many years, Dick operated his art studio, DeColores Gallery, in Sugar Loaf, New York. His works of art are included in private collections regionally and nationally.

Dick was actively involved with St. Margaret of Antioch Catholic Church in Pearl River, where he played the organ for Mass, shared his artistic talents for church dances and events and created ceramic depictions of the Stations of the Cross that are displayed on the church grounds. He was employed for many years at Pearl River Public Library, where he created seasonal window displays and helped to arrange shows of local artists' work for the enjoyment of library patrons.

Dick is survived by Kathleen Lewis, his wife of 61 years, and their four children, Lucia (David) Biondi of Saratoga Springs, New York, Antony (Helen) Lewis of Harriman, New York, Garth (Cathy) Lewis of Estes Park, Colorado, and Brigid (Floyd) Dickson of Covington, Louisiana; brothers, Robert Lewis of Port Angeles, Washington, and Donald Lewis of Frohna, Missouri; sister, Mary Ann (Lewis) Haynes of Cape Girardeau; grandchildren, Victoria, Quinlan, Maggie, Zachary, Kristina, Juliette and Angelica; great-grandchildren, Josiah and Emmett; several nieces and nephews; and other members of his extended family.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Mary Elizabeth Kneibert Lewis of Jackson.

Visitation and a memorial service will be held at 9 a.m. today at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

This will be followed at 10 a.m. by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Plattsburgh to celebrate Dick and his passage into eternal life. The Rite of Committal (burial) will be at St. Peter's Cemetery in Plattsburgh immediately following the Mass.

In his memory, please consider scheduling a Mass to celebrate Dick and his joy of life or making a memorial donation to support a local arts council.