Thomas Francis "Tom" Lewis Jr.

Thomas F. Lewis Jr. NORTH PALM BEACH - Thomas Francis "Tom" Lewis Jr., 78, a former congressman, died Saturday, Aug. 2, 2003, Palm Beach Gardens. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marian Vastine Lewis. The service will be at 11 a.m. EDT today at Royal Poinciana Chapel in Palm Beach, with burial at the chapel columbarium. Memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association, West Palm Beach, FL or American Heart Association, West Palm Beach, FL. Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home (561-744-2030) is handling arrangements. A 51-year resident of Palm Beach County, he was an 11-year Air Force veteran who served in World War II and the Korea War. He attended Palm Beach Community College, University of Florida and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He worked for Pratt and Whitney for 17 years as chief of jet-and rocket-engine testing. His 30 years of elected public service included eight years as a city council member and mayor of North Palm Beach, eight years as a state representative, two years as a state senator (1980-82), and 12 years as a congressman (1982-95) prior to retirement. He was a 32nd-degree Mason, member of the Amara Shrine and served on the board of the Royal Poinciana Chapel. Other survivors include his loving children, Mickey Lewis Bowman (and husband Richard) and Nancy Lewis Heins (and husband John), both of Jupiter, and Thomas Francis Lewis III (and wife Kristen) of Philadelphia; his adored grandchildren, Cheri Lewis Husney (and husband David), Richard Bowman Jr., Shane Tokep Bowman, Thomas Francis Lewis IV, Lindsay Leigh Lewis, Richard Dennis Bowman, Hope Michele Bowman; and a great-grandson, Kavanagh Lewis Husney.