Stephen C. Lewis

Stephen Lewis (November 20, 1947- March 4, 2026)

Stephen Lewis proudly told everyone he was from Rockland, Maine - "the lobster capital of the world," as he would say with a smile. Though he made his home in Malden, Massachusetts for many years, that deep sense of place, humor, and pride stayed with him always. Stephen lived a life shaped by conscience, curiosity, and an enduring belief in justice.

He attended Northeastern University, where he became active in the anti-Vietnam War movement and the struggle for Black liberation. His values guided his life from early on - he even lost his first professional job because he refused to cross a picket line. That quiet moral clarity would define him.

Stephen devoted his career to social work, supporting homeless youth in Boston and later adults living with mental illness through the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. He believed deeply in the dignity of those he served. His commitment extended into union leadership with Service Employees International Union Local 509, where he served as Chair of the Political Action Committee and Treasurer. There, he helped strengthen the union as a powerful voice for human service and education workers across the state.

An internationalist at heart, Stephen traveled to 30 countries, listening to people's stories and valuing their experiences. He began collecting political and labor posters during these years - a passion that grew into a second life's work. With a collection of more than 7,000 posters, he curated hundreds of public exhibitions throughout New England, bringing messages of struggle, solidarity, and hope into libraries, universities, and community spaces. His collection now resides in the Stephen Lewis Archive at UMass Boston, preserved for future generations.

Stephen also lived with great physical energy and enthusiasm. He practiced karate, loved running and swimming, and took pride in staying strong. He was an avid fan of martial arts films, especially Jackie Chan, whose humor and athleticism he admired. Stephen delighted in collecting every Jackie Chan movie he could find, even traveling to Chinatown in search of rare and (sometimes bootlegged) copies. That blend of seriousness and playful devotion was uniquely his.

Stephen met his wife, Sandy Felder, during her shop steward election at a mental health center - a beginning rooted in shared values, collective action, and deep love. He will be remembered for his integrity, his passion for justice, his humor, and the many lives he touched.

In memory of Stephen, Sandy asks that you send a memory you have of him to lewisposters@gmail.com. In time she will compile these into a book that will bring comfort and joy as she reflects on how he was known and loved by so many.