Richard Cyrus "Dick" Lewis

Richard "Dick" Cyrus Lewis

Pearl River - Richard "Dick" Cyrus Lewis, age 86, peacefully entered eternal rest on September 27, 2020.

Dick was born in Jackson MO on January 16, 1934. 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 the Ringling School of Art in Sarasota FL. Dick enlisted in the US Army and, in addition to his military duties, he continued to create art and receive recognition for his artistic talents. Following his military service, Dick continued art studies in New York City at the Parsons School of Design, School of Visual Arts, Art Students League, and The New School.

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

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 the Parsons School of Design, Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, Dominican College in Orangeburg NY, and in private instruction. He provided free-lance 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 JC Penney, Trans World Airlines, and Avon. For many years, Dick operated his art studio, DeColores Gallery, in Sugar Loaf NY. His works of art are included in private collections regionally and nationally. Dick was actively involved with St. Margaret of Antioch Church in Pearl River NY 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 the 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, his wife of 61 years, and their 4 children: Lucia (David) Biondi of Saratoga Springs NY, Antony (Helen) Lewis of Harriman NY, Garth (Cathy) Lewis of Estes Park CO, and Brigid (Floyd) Dickson of Covington LA; 2 brothers: Robert Lewis of Port Angeles WA and Donald Lewis of Frohna MO; a sister Mary Ann (Lewis) Haynes of Cape Girardeau MO; 7 grandchildren (Victoria, Quinlan, Maggie, Zachary, Kristina, Juliette, and Angelica); 2 great-grandchildren (Josiah, 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 MO.

Visitation and a memorial service were held at the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh NY on Thursday October 1, 2020 at 9:00 am. This will be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St Peter's Church in Plattsburgh NY at 10:00 am to celebrate Dick and his passage into eternal life. The Rite of Committal (Burial) will be held 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.