Lew Scranton’s daughters Abby and Rebecca address the gathering.
KILLINGWORTH, CONN. – On August 17, about 60 people gathered at Lew Scranton’s restored mid-Eighteenth Century cape to bid him a final farewell and share wonderful memories. His daughters Abby and Rebecca orchestrated the afternoon affair, which took full advantage of the bucolic grounds surrounding the house. With ample food, drink and camaraderie, the festive event took on a life of its own. The love and respect felt for Lew, combined with the roasting of his idiosyncrasies, had everyone laughing and loving at the same time. It was a joyous occasion with many attendees dressed in Lew’s favorite color, red. Lew would have loved it.
Abby and Rebecca gave a short talk about Lew’s life, his love of antiques and his love of friends and the restoration of house and grounds. That was followed with a few comments from the contractor who shared the joys and challenges of working with Lew, who always knew exactly what he wanted.
Comments were invited from anyone who cared to speak. Of course, the silence didn’t last too long, as antiques dealers, family members and friends shared stories that minutes earlier were confined to small social clusters.
Stephen Huber: “Lew and his wife Janet raised two beautiful and delightful daughters. Also Lew had a wonderful talent of never getting a joke.”
From left, Arthur Liverant, Stephen Fletcher, Sam Herrup and Ron Dionne.
Arthur Liverant: “You couldn’t barter with Lew. He would offer you something at a price and that was that – period!”
Steve Fletcher (Skinner): “At Lew’s auction a few years ago, his insistence on having an old-fashioned auction, under a tent, no estimates, no buyer’s premium has people still commenting today that it was the most fun auction they ever attended.
Ronnie Dionne: “Lew made everyone feel as though they were his best friend.”
Abby’s husband Carmine: “Lew would often approach strangers in a restaurant and insist they remove their hat when they were in a building. Or he may have approached a stranger enjoying a cigarette and told them how unhealthy it is to smoke.”
Many others shared their special memories of Lew.
Lew was a beloved, old-fashioned Yankee antiques dealer who will be greatly missed.
-Submitted by Carol and Stephen Huber
