PHILLIPS – Duane Griffin Lewis, Sr., 72 of 4 Maple Lane in Phillips, died peacefully at home with his loving family at his side on Nov. 8. 2008. His fight with cancer was sudden and brief.
Duane was born in Boothbay Harbor on July 1, 1936. Son to Eldred Raymond and Winnifred Velma Griffin Lewis.
Graduating from Boothbay High in the class of 1954. He enlisted into the Air Force and served during the Korean Conflict.
In 1958, he married his lifelong love and friend, Barbara Louise Adams of Bath. Their 50-year anniversary was Nov. 9.
In 1961, he joined the Maine Warden Service and was stationed in Wayne, Princeton, Bridgton and when promoted to Sergeant, moved to Phillips with his family in 1971.
Duane was a founding member of the Maine Warden Service Relief Association. He also taught at Warden School and headed up many undercover investigations.
After retiring in 1982, he and his wife ran Grant’s Camps and John Pond and developed their own fly-fishing camps, Fox-Carlton. Finally, spending the last few years at their “little piece of heaven” at Riverhigh, which he built.
Most recently, he was an active member of the North Franklin Snowmobile Club, where he served as Trailmaster.
Duane was an avid outdoorsman, who loved fly-fishing and hunting and sharing his knowledge of the outdoors and warden stories with his family. Most of all, was his love of family and friends and many happy times, which will be remembered by his son Raymond and wife Stephanie, grandson Raymond Darrell, whom he named “Hunter,” granddaughters Christine Louise “Gunner” and Brittany Strout “Forest,” all of Wilton, Duane’s brother Barry and his wife Ebbie of British Columbia, many nieces, nephews, cousins, son Duane G. Lewis of Kentucky and his family and finally his ever faithful dog Gus.
Duane was predeceased by his parents, brothers Gerald and Winston Lewis and daughter-in-law Kathy Lewis.
Duane may be gone, but is and always will be forever in our hearts.
Services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 at the Phillips Congregational Church, followed by a gathering at Phillips Community Center. Pastor, Sue Kaplan Burgess will be officiating and the Maine Warden’s Service Honor Guard will be taking part.
Friends wishing may send donations to: Maine Warden Service Assoc. C/O Chris Dyer, PO Box 27, Morrill, Me. 04952. Or North Franklin Snowmobile Club C/O Dianna Hall, 172 Toothaker Pond Road, Phillips, Maine 04966
Arrangement under the care and direction of Dan and Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan, Maine.
Our heartfelt condolensces to the entire Lewis family.
Duane will forever be remembered by those of us in Warden Service as one of the all time greats!
There never will be another to take his place..the humor, the dedication to his career, and the friendship he established speaks volumes as to his character.
All of you can be be very proud of his many accomplishments as we were to have worked alongside of him.
A donation will be made from our family in Duane’s memory to the MWSRA, which Duane helped to establish. This being Yet another act of professionalism on his part, one that will benefit his fellow wardens for many years to come.
Again, our thoughts and prayers are with you all, during this most dificult time.
John and Judy Ford
Brooks, Maine
Our heartfelt condolensces to the entire Lewis family.
I have known the Lewis family since they moved to Phillips in 1971. I grew up right down the street from them and Raymond and I were school friends for many years.
I remember going into Duane’s shop and staring at those ” Indian Motor Cycles”. I remember going to Grants Camps in the winter to shovel money feet of snow off those camp roofs.
Duane was always someone that I looked up too and always respected. Duane and Barbara welcomed you into their home as if you were part of the family!
We are sorry for your loss and our prayers are with you and your entire family.
Steve & Renee’ Espeaignnette
Anthem, AZ
I give my love and understanding to Lewis family. Duane was more than a fellow warden to me…he was my friend.
When Duane retired in 1982, he never stopped being a warden. He followed the legislative procedures in Augusta very closely and often gave advice. When he and his brother Jerri and son DJ went to camp at St Croix Lake he would often go on patrol with me and lend a helping hand with local night hunters. He still enjoyed being out there, and hearing what was happening within warden service.
Anyone who has ever worked with Duane will know that he was always more than a Game Warden… because of his dedication, he will be remembered in Maine Warden Service as a legend for a long time.
Randall Probert
In response to all the wonderful support, caring and kind words of all who knew my “dad” Duane Lewis. Thank you so much, from all of his family. Your memories and thoughts will keep him with us always. I’m sure there are lots of great stories out there to tell that include him and I know he’d enjoy and appreciate that.
Thank you again,
Regards and Best wishes from The Lewis Family
Our heartfelt condolensces to the entire Lewis family.
I, along with all the members of the Warden Service, will miss Duane. Those of us who had the privilage to work with Duane will miss his humor and his dedication to the field of Conservation that we all love so much. My wife Terri and I will not be able to attend Duane’s Service on Saturday as we will be out of state. Our thoughts and prayers will be with the Lewis family. May God bless you Duane, and your family.
Jim & Terri Brown
Duane was a stand in father for my sister and best friend, Kathy. He gave her roots and wings and called her his Iron Butterfly. She was lucky to have such a strong family unit in the Lewis’ w/ Duane at the helm. Duane always had a smile, a tale or two, and a hug for me when ever I saw him; I will sadly miss him. What a terrific Legacy Duane Lewis leaves behind.
Barbara, Raymond and family: Words, however kind, can’t mend your heartache: but those who care and share your loss wish you comfort and peace of mind. May you find strength in the love of family and in the warm embrace of friends.
It has been over thirty-five years since I moved West, over thirty-five years since I last saw my Uncle ‘Dane.’ I’ve spent the last few days pouring over family photos: Duane as a boy and young man in Boothbay Harbor, wedding photos of his marriage to Barbara where I was the young ring bearer, photos from Princeton and an older Uncle Duane.
Duane was an outstanding man and a tremendous Uncle. He is loved and he will be missed and I will hold him close in my memory. Memories of Uncle Duane at family Christmases, of getting me my first guns, of teaching me to fly fish, teaching me how to deer hunt, teachigng me how to paddle a canoe.
Ken Lewis
Quesnel, British Columbia
Heartfelt condolences to the Lewis family. I got to know Duane through his brother Gerald. We spent some time together at “camp” in Howe Brook. He gave me and my son “animal” names, too. We spent many memorable days rebuilding the camp after a fire. His stories were worth it, and, wow, was Barbara’s cooking good!!! Really glad Duane could live out a nice life doing what he loved best. The outdoors was served by Duane and I’m sure he’ll be looking down on us all. God Bless.
Your wonderful comments warm my heart and give me happiness knowing he touched the hearts of so many people. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Bless you all, as ever, Barb.
We wish to convey our most sincere condolences to you Barbara and to your family. We share your grief with Duane’s passing but take a good deal of comfort in knowing that you and Raymond were ever with him in his final days. During our last visit I asked Duane how things were going and his response was – Not bad really – I have Barbara looking after me – I am a lucky man. Now that was typical of the Duane Lewis spirit I thought.
I cherish the relationship that I had with Duane through the years as a fellow warden and more importantly as a friend. There are many fond memories of adventures undertaken, stories told and deeds accomplished with, as you so well know, not a great many dull moments in the process.
Duane has moved on, as we all must, but he leaves a great legacy as a game warden, woodsman, a sportsman of the finest kind and an always helpful friend of so many.
He will be missed of course but the memories will help.
It is an honor to have known him .
John Shaw
Barbara, I was saddened but blessed to read the family history and I can’t tell you enough of how happy I was to hear of the good life you had . I have thought of you many times over the years. and wondered if you were having a good life. I will gladly share my 47 years of married life with you if you so choose. if not ,Then just please accept my condolences with heartfelt concern for you and your family,.. I can tell you are a strong family and may the God who made heaven and earth bless you all richly in Jesus Christ our Lord,,,,,,Jimmy Chase
Admin logging in for Jim Chase:
My name is Jim Chase, I went to school with Barbara Adams Lewis and I was aware of the nice fishing camp they had in northern Maine,
I just came across Duane’s obituaires,I so want to tell Barbara how sorry I am for her loss. I know she has a wonderful family that will support her, So I send my heartfelt condolences to the whole family,,, If she would like to comunicate with me she can do so at jachase2@verizon.net
My sympathies, Jim Chase