Charles B. Lewis, Jr. passed away on Apr. 21, 2026, in Wilton, where he lived since 1975. He was 93, beloved and respected.
Charlie was born on May 1, 1932, in Atlanta to Louise and Charles B. Lewis. Charlie’s family moved to rural Georgia in 1937, where they lived until 1944. Charlie’s family knew nearly everyone for miles around. There were no paved roads and no running water. Water had to be drawn, usually without hand pumps, from wells. Until the Works Progress Administration of FDR’s New Deal dug a well at the school, the teacher had to send students, including Charlie, to neighboring houses to bring back buckets of water for drinking. Charlie remembered his early years with fondness and was also glad that life got better.
A scholarly student who was interested in history, his Christian faith and Georgia politics, Charlie was active in church and student organizations. He credited his father for insisting that he attend Emory University where Charlie earned his Bachelor’s and Juris Doctor degrees. Charlie was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in October 1956, and was commissioned as a judge advocate in the United States Air Force. His first duty assignment was at Hanscom Field (now Hanscom AFB) near Boston.
In 1957, through a young professionals group at the Old South Church, Charlie met his future spouse Shirley Goodall, a registered nurse who had emigrated from Canada. They both were very social and civic-minded. Throughout their lives, Shirley and Charlie attended church, enjoying the community, church music and Bible study. It was only in the past six months that Charlie found he was not as able to attend services at the United Methodist Church of Westport and Weston, that he stopped attending regularly.
Within months of their marriage in 1958, Charlie was transferred to Pepperrell Air Force Base in St. Johns, Newfoundland, where they lived for two and a half years. Their eldest daughter Susan was born there. Subsequently they were stationed at Fort Meade in Maryland, and at Sandia Base in New Mexico. After nine years in the Air Force, Captain Lewis joined the Air Force Reserves, where he served for 18 years, retiring with the rank of colonel. Charlie became an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Atlanta in 1965 and then went to work for the Treasury Department in Washington, D.C. in 1970. Shirley and Charlie, now with four daughters, lived in Rockville, MD and Shirley worked nights as a nurse.
In autumn 1975, Charlie began a new job as Regional Counsel at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in New York City, which brought the Lewis family to what became their hometown of Wilton. On warm evenings, Charlie strolled from his office at the World Trade Center complex up to Grand Central Station on his commute home rather than taking the subway. He would sometimes visit small shops along the route where he would sometimes find a choice bargain, such as a $5 digital watch, to give to one of his daughters. Over the years, no matter where Shirley and Charlie lived, they made sure to visit their parents and extended family in Georgia and Canada. In Canada, Charlie not only admired and befriended Shirley’s extended family, he also developed his interest in and learned a great deal about provincial politics and Canadian history. Wherever the family went, it seemed Charlie knew the history and how to get there.
After retiring in 1994, Charlie became more involved in the civic and social life of Wilton. He became an active member in and developed strong friendships at the Wilton Kiwanis Club and Post 86 of the American Legion, belonging to these organizations until his passing. It meant a great deal to Charlie that in the final weeks of his life, friends from Post 86 visited him at his home.
In 2000, Charlie became a certified election moderator for Wilton, and he moderated elections for seven years. Over the years, Charlie was proud to do his part and serve the Town as a member of the Wilton Water Commission and Board of Assessment Appeals, and as a Parking Hearing Officer and Justice of the Peace. He was also a member of the Wilton Democratic Town Committee for 25 years, serving as a delegate to numerous State and legislative conventions. In 2014, Charlie was deeply moved to be honored by the Wilton DTC with the Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing his commitment and contributions to the Town of Wilton, the community and our democracy.
Those living in the Wilton area in the past 30 years have no doubt seen a gentleman dressed a bit on the formal side partaking in breakfast at Orem’s Diner or Connecticut Coffee (which he called “Jimmy’s”) with a cup of coffee, a savory breakfast and warm greetings. That was Charlie, often sitting with friends and new friends, sharing news, stories and quips. A familiar and regular presence at the Wilton Library, Charlie commented in recent years after Shirley passed away that the idea of living across the parking lot from the Wilton Library sounded pretty good to him. At the YMCA, he exercised at the Fitness Center into his 93rd year, he and his friends having joined the Silver Sneakers at the Y when he was in his 70s. Charlie so enjoyed strolling into The Turnover Shop to browse and find, just like on those warm evenings strolling in NYC, some choice bargains.
When complications related to illness impacted Shirley’s health in 2011, she moved to The Greens in Wilton and for as long as Shirley lived at the Greens, and in 2022, she moved to Wilton Meadows. Charlie remained at the family home and visited Charlie visited Shirley every day (except during the pandemic). It was as if they were dating. Nearly every day Charlie and Shirley had dinner together, enjoying the afternoon musical and information programs, playing bridge, reading newspapers and helping with the Protestant service where Shirley played the piano and Charlie would lead the service when the minister was absent. They continued to host family celebrations and took special delight in spending time with their grandchildren, who were raised in Wilton, and seeing them grow up.
Charlie was a joyful and intelligent person and a kind and steadfast husband, father and friend. He greatly appreciated the full life that he and Shirley had. Charlie is survived by his daughter Christine Radu, his son-in-law and friend Dorel Radu (both of Bridgeport); his first cousin Catherine Van Herrin (of Alabama); his youngest daughter, Sharon Lewis Grace (of Wilton); and his grandchildren Tim, Jamie and Olivia Grace. Charlie was predeceased by his spouse of 65 years Shirley, his dear brother Edward, and his beloved daughters Susan and Catherine.
On behalf of Charlie, the family offers gratitude to his caregiver Sharon M., Rev. Jinha Choi, friends at Orem’s Diner, American Legion Post 86, Riverbrook YMCA, Connecticut Coffee, the Wilton Library, Wilton Kiwanis, Wilton Dial-A-Ride, Norwalk Hospital, and Brightstar Care.
Charlie was laid to rest at Hillside Cemetery on May 1, 2026. A memorial service will take place on Saturday, June 6, at 11 a.m., at his church, the United Methodist Church of Westport and Weston (49 Weston Rd., Westport). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Charlie’s church or American Legion Post 86 (112 Old Ridgefield Rd.) or to a house of worship or charity of your choosing.