Osylee Lewis

Osylee M. Lewis

Osylee M. Lewis of Wingate died Thursday, January 5, 2012 at the Seaford Center in Seaford,DE. He was 89.

He was born September 22, 1922 in Wingate, son of the late James and Floy Windsor Lewis. He was one of ten children.

Educated in public schools in South Dorchester, Osylee graduated from Crapo High School. For many years Osylee worked as a waterman, crabbing and oystering, having learned well from his father and older brothers who prepared him for this life’s work.

Osylee joined the U.S. Army as a young man. During World War II he served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater, honorably discharged with the rank of Tech-4 with the Army Corps of Engineers.

During the war Osylee married the former Arie Naomi Parks. Returning after his service tenure they continued making their home in Wingate where he pursued his family’s tradition of a waterman. With his wife Naomi they established a crabpot-making business which not only served local waterman but crabbers in Virginia and the Western Shore of Maryland who appreciated the quality of his craft.

Throughout his life, Osylee was dedicated to his church and his community. A lifetime member of Wingate Methodist Church, he served in many capacities and finally as superintendent. He was also a Methodist-Conference-Trained Lay Speaker.

Osylee enjoyed helping all people especially young people. He was a force in encouraging many young men who worked for him to understand the value of a good education, Christian beliefs and service to others. He was a Boy Scout leader for many years, fondly remembered and respected by many of those who grew up in the area.

Osylee later worked for Sears, where his smiling face and eagerness to help attitude, made him perfect for his job.

Serving the community as a member of the Lakes and Straits Vol. Fire Co. was also a passion he enjoyed. Osylee was also a member of the American Legion Post #91.

Osylee is survived by his wife of 68 years Arie Naomi; a son James and wife Brenda of New Castle, DE; a daughter Anna (Lewis) Sayers and husband Richard of Newark, DE; three grandchildren Daniel Lewis and wife Jeanette; Julie Lewis Saville and husband John and Alison Hollingsworth; six great grandchildren, Samantha, Amanda, David, Grace, Kate and Angela. His sister Edna Wheatley will be 101 in February.

Preceding him in death besides his parents, are six brothers Weller, Norris, Leon, Jerome (Earl), David and Baby James and two sisters Audrey Willey and Adele Sarvey.

Funeral Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at the Newcomb and Collins Funeral Home, P.A. (formerly Curran-Bromwell) Cambridge, MD. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Officiating at the service will be Rev.David Kreek, Rev.MaryAnn Farnell and Rev.Barbara Mills. Interment will follow at the Maryland Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery in Beulah with Military Honors.

Serving as pallbearers will be Bruce Meekins, Bobby Parks, Larry Parks, William (Snooks) Windsor, O’Neal Windsor, John Saville and Dan Lewis. Honorary pallbearers will be Clarence Pritchett, Reginald Lewis, John Bealefeld and Chris Jones.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Osylee can be sent to the Wingate Methodist Church c/o Bruce Meekins 2015 Wingate Bishops Head Rd. Wingate, MD. 21675.

To send online condolences, please visit www.newcombcollins.com.