Arthur Roy Lewis

The Wonderful Life of Art Lewis “Mr. Radnor”

January 5, 1931 – August 6, 2025

It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Art Lewis, a pillar of our community, whose unwavering dedication to public service has left an indelible impression on all who knew him. For 56 years, Art and his beloved wife Lois resided on Woodland Ave in North Wayne, Radnor Township where they raised their four children and selflessly served their community in countless ways.

Arthur Roy Lewis Jr. was born January 5, 1931, in Philadelphia to proud parents A. Roy Lewis and Anne Gault Lewis. An only child, Art was raised in Havertown PA and attended Haverford High School where he excelled in the classroom and athletics, especially soccer. He spent his summers in the Catskill mountains and Stone Harbor, NJ, inspiring his lifelong love of nature, fishing and the Jersey shore.

In the fall of 1948, Art entered Swarthmore College as a pre-dental student, inspired by his father who was a dentist. Perhaps the only time he disappointed his father was two weeks after the semester began, Art informed him that he wished to pursue engineering instead. Art graduated at the top of his class in mechanical engineering and later earned a master’s degree in M.E. from Drexel University. Art served his country in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps and then spent his entire professional career with the Philadelphia Electric Company, retiring as chief design engineer in 1991. After retirement, Art spent five years in consulting in government programming designs.

Always an exceptional student and level-headed thinker, Art made the wisest decision of his life asking Lois Smith, whom he had met during their senior year at Swarthmore, to be his wife. They wed in 1953 and, shortly thereafter, found a home on the Main Line within walking distance of the Paoli local train to Philadelphia. They settled on a charming, green house in Wayne which they bought for the hefty sum of $21,500. Thus began Art’s lifetime commitment to fixing up an old home with Lois as his partner, enjoying his growing family, and serving his new community.

Within several years of moving to Wayne, Art began, what would become, his second career, and many would argue, his most exceptional, which was public service. He and Lois joined the Wayne United Methodist Church, which would become an important part of their life together. Art served as the finance committee chair for more than 30 years and as a Sunday school teacher long after his own children had grown up. Lois ran the church rummage sales and led their daughters' Brownie troops which met in the church basement.

As their family and roots in the community grew Art became involved in local politics, Radnor public schools, coaching and multiple charitable organizations. One of his proudest achievements was starting the Radnor little league soccer program at RHS with handmade goals and color-coded tee shirts sponsored by local businesses. Art and Lois ran this program every Saturday morning for years, from Labor Day until Thanksgiving, introducing hundreds of local children to the sport they loved. As the years went by, Art continued to say 'yes' to most volunteer opportunities offered to him. This long list includes:

- President of the North Wayne Protective Association 1960-1961

- Finance Chair and Sunday school teacher Wayne Methodist Church

- President of the Wayne Elementary School PTA 1963

- Republican Committeeman 1964-1978

- Treasurer of the Radnor Republican Committee 1968-1973 and

chairman 1973-1978

- Commissioner of Radnor 1st ward 1978-1983

- Member Radnor zoning board 1984-1990 responsible for Radnor’s first

open space acquisition of the Willows Park in Wayne

- Co-founder of the Radnor Little League Soccer Program 1978-1983

- Treasurer for the Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired

- Radnor High School Scholarship Fund 1984-2025 Treasurer and

President. The Arthur R. Lewis scholarship was established in his honor in

2016

- Board of Directors of WAYNE Inc (Wayne Area Youth Need

Encouragement)

- President of The Wayne Teen Center

- Radnor School Board member 1991 and re-elected to three terms.

President 1993-98 overseeing the renovations of the Radnor

Elementary School, and building the new Middle School and High School.

- Scouting coordinator and citizen’s merit badge judge, Wayne Boy

Scout Troop 371

- Radnor Youth League Baseball coach

- Organizer and Emcee for Radnor Fireworks and other fundraisers for

the Radnor Scholarship Fund

- 2005 grand marshal and proud marcher and participant in the annual

Wayne Memorial Day Parades

In his various roles, Art always acted as the consummate gentleman, respectfully listening to everyone and working hard to build consensus. His primary concern was the best result for the people of his community. His exceptional leadership and integrity earned him many honors including the “Key to Radnor Township” and the nickname “Mr. Radnor” from his admiring peers who also recognized that behind the scenes, Lois patiently acted as his secretary, scheduler and public relations manager.

Despite his busy schedule, Art was always at the family dinner table, helping with homework, attending his children’s games and serving in his most cherished role as a father. His favorite time of the year was the annual family vacation in Stone Harbor with his children which grew dearer with the addition of grandchildren. In 2013, Art and Lois moved to White Horse Village in Newtown Square and spent many happy years there. They are very appreciative of the good care provided to them by the staff.

Art chose to live a simple yet incredibly rich life, devoted to his family, work, church, community and country. He was a wonderful son, husband, father and citizen, respectful, kind, fun and a role model for all who knew him. As we bid farewell to this extraordinary man, we take comfort in the knowledge that his legacy will endure.

Art is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Lois and his four incredibly grateful children Barbara Borzillo (John), Bonnie Torcivia (Will), Andy Lewis (Ginger) and Pete Lewis (Luis), eight grandchildren Ryan Borzillo, Rose Yablon (Josh), Joseph Torcivia (Jenny), Cody Torcivia, Emily Torcivia Luna (Rol), Barbara Lewis, Drew Lewis and Lizzy Lewis and four great-grandchildren, Sonny and Chase Torcivia, Benny Torcivia Luna and Miles Yablon.

A celebration of Art's wonderful life will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at Wayne United Methodist Church located at 210 South Wayne Avenue in Wayne. Visitation begins at 9:00 AM and the service will begin at 10:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Radnor High School Scholarship Fund and include “Arthur R. Lewis Scholarship” on the memo line. Checks can be sent to P.O. Box 8244 Radnor, PA 19087 or donate via their website www.radnorscholarshipfund.com