Ralph H

Lewis, Sr.

Obituary

The Life, The Love, The Legacy

of

Ralph H. Lewis Sr.

December 27th, 1936 – October 21st, 2018

R alph H. Lewis Sr. was born on December 27th, 1936 he was the only child of John H. and Minnie Lewis.  He lived a full and active life in his hometown of Englewood, New Jersey for eighty-one years.  He was well known and loved by many.

He was an avid sportsman, who loved to ski, roller skate, and bowl which he won numerous awards for.  Ralph also loved to go fishing and boating in Cape COD with his family and friends.  His favorite pastime was getting together with family and friends to sing Karaoke.

Ralph's primary education was through the Englewood School system. Graduating from Dwight Morrow High School in 1954 as all-state champ. Ralph was offered twelve scholarships to attend numerous colleges; He chose bowling Green University in Ohio.

In 1960 he was drafted into the United States Army Engineering Corp.  He proudly served his country until he was Honorably Discharged in May of 1962.  Despite having had a successful career in the United States Army, he was unable to gain employment due to his African American heritage.

Ralph had various employment in the private sector until mid-nineteen sixties, when he was offered and accepted the opportunity to go in to his own business.  Ralph became the first African American in the State of New Jersey to be a distributor of auto parts when he purchased Hect Boys Auto Parts and Accessories store and eventually Triangle Parts and Machine Shop on Palisades Avenue in Englewood.

On January 19th, 1963, Ralph married his wife of fifty-five years, Faith.  Through that union they were blessed with two children, Ralph Jr. and Melanie.

Ralph leaves to cherish his memories his wife Faith Lewis, children Ralph H. Lewis Jr. and Melanie H. Lewis, cherished granddaughter Octavia Lewis. A host of other relatives and many friends.

Ralph was well loved and will be missed dearly by all who knew him.