Gary Lewis: His Navy duties were varied
Gary Lewis
Gary Lewis
As Boothbay Harbor prepares to celebrate the 64th annual Windjammer Days, this year’s theme proudly honors the past, present, and retired members of the United States Navy who have served our nation with dedication and distinction. Throughout the coming weeks, we will feature a series of profiles highlighting local Navy service members—sharing their stories, experiences, and the lasting impact of their service. These articles are a tribute to the men and women whose commitment to duty reflects the maritime heritage at the heart of Windjammer Days and the deep appreciation of our community. Unfortunately not all current or former Navy service members in the area can be individually featured. To have a Navy veteran or active-duty member mentioned on the Windjammer Days webpage, please email Friends of Windjammers (www.boothbayharborwindjammerdays.org). Please include name and rank.
Gary Lewis was born and raised in Boothbay, Maine. When he was 21 years old and working at his father’s service station, Elm’s Garage, he received a draft letter from the US military. Having grown up by the ocean, the choice was simple—hejoined the United States Navy. To him, being on the water felt like home no matter where in the world he traveled.
He spent the next two years as Bosun’s mate on the USS Donner, an LSD20 dock landing ship. While on board, he started with general maintenance work including paintingand eventually worked his way up to crane operator. During this time, he went to Personnel School where he learned typing and helped write reports. His focusbecame writing reports for accidents and deaths involving sailors. He then spent two years with the Helicopter Squadronin Pensacola, Florida. During his tenure with the squadron, he was awarded the Sailor of the Month.
During his service he traveled from Norfolk, Virginia and Orlando, Florida to the Mediterranean, France, and Italy.He fondly remembers a personal trip he and a mate took from Nice to Paris to visit his mate’s girlfriend. They took the train and had an opportunity to see the world in a way he otherwise would have never gotten to experience.
When recounting the most defining moment of his military careerhe was reminded of the uprising in Crete, wherethey witnessed gunfire, but he recalls there being no imminent danger to his ship. They were there to help evacuate civilians but never went in.
Overall, he credits the Navy with making him a better man and instilling in him a deeper respect for authority and his country. Over the years, he’s kept in touch with the friends he made during his service, providing him a lifetime of camaraderie.
After his four years of service in the Navy, he returned to the peninsula and spent the next 49 years married to his beloved wife, Donna Lewis, who passed awayin 2019. He worked for Central Maine Power and Lewis Oil before retiring. Not one to sit idle; he eventually went back to work for Giles Rubbish.
He has two daughters, Michelle Farnhamand Danelle Davis, fourgrandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
