Frank W. Lewis

Frank W Lewis, the Governments ace WWII codebreaker, died on November 18 2010, aged 98, at Stafford Hill Assisted Living center, Plymouth MA. He was born August 25, 1912 in Salt Lake City, Utah- the year the Titanic sank. As senior cryptanalyst for the National Security Agency, during WWII he was Civilian in Charge of the Japanese section. He cracked the Japanese shipping code, enabling the navy to pinpoint the exact location of ships in the vastness of the Pacific, which aided the Allied victory and shortened the war. He later coordinated the first computer systems between service branches. For his work he was awarded the rare Exceptional Civilian Service, the Outstanding Civilian Service, and Bletchley Parks Service medals. For over 60 years, from 1947 until 2008 he created British style cryptic crosswords, published weekly in the Nation magazine. With a Masters in Music, throughout his life Frank enjoyed Gilbert & Sullivan comic opera, classical and jazz. He directed choruses and even at 98 he could still lead a singalong from the piano. His family remembers a house full of song, and he passed on this passion for music making to all of his 6 children. He shared 74 years of marriage with wife Sylvia and is survived by sons Larry and Frank, daughters Elaine and Wendy, four grandchildren and one great grandson. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice.