Frank Lewis Named Man of the Year, 1964

Frank Lewis Named "Man of the Year"

December 1964

 

Frank Lewis

 



Francis Lewis has been designated by the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce to be Man of the Year in Bainbridge for 1964.  this is the second time this award has been given to a person for recognition for his many years of devoted service to the community of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] and his contributions to the success, comfort and growth of the Village of Bainbridge.  The first award was made to the late Dr. Edward Danforth in 1963.

 

Mr. Lewis started in business with his father, Frank and his brother; they were incorporated as Frank Lewis and Sons at Harpursville in 1907.  The business was moved to Bainbridge in 1923 when Francis Lewis became prominent in the corporation.

 

Mr. Lewis became well known throughout the Southern Tier as a builder of bridges.  One of his most traveled bridges is the one at Owego built in 1934 across the Susquehanna River on Route 17.

 

During the late thirties and the war years, that saw a rapid growth in development of transportation, and during the industrial expansion of Scintilla Corporation and Borden Corporation, Mr. Lewis hired as many as 220 employees at one time during the Summer season.

 

Mr. Lewis built all the additions since 1934 that have been made to the Scintilla Division of the Bendix Corporation.  He also built the Scintilla Cafeteria and the three apartment houses on Sherman Avenue in Sidney.  He built the original Walton Hospital and two additions to The Hospital in Sidney as well as St. Paul's Catholic School in Norwich and many other projects in New Berlin and Oneonta. 

 

In Bainbridge Mr. Lewis built the Sugar Milk Plant for Borden Company, an eight-unit apartment house, the 1951 addition to the Central High School and 11 houses that helped alleviate the housing shortage and the growing pains of the community following World War 2.

 

Frank Lewis has served on The Hospital Board of Directors since 1943 and has been a member of the Norwich Elks for 35 years.  His one great interest has been the children and youth of Bainbridge.  He was instrumental in building the Scout House in Bainbridge as well as building the Bainbridge Swimming Pool at cost for the community.  When interviewed at his home on North Main street, Mr. Lewis said, "Of all the projects that I have built or been connected with the Bainbridge Swimming Pool gives me the greatest feeling of pride and satisfaction.  On summer afternoons I sit in my car and watch the number of children enjoying the pool."

 

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce feels that Frank Lewis' Career has been of a builder and not a tearer-downer and best exemplifies their ideals for the Man of the Year Award.

 

Bainbridge Chamber Honors Frank Lewis

 

 

Man of the Year, Frank Lewis, (left), is receiving an honorary plaque from

William Denman, president of the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce

 

Bainbridge:  Frank Lewis was honored as Bainbridge's "Man of the Year" by the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce at a dinner held Thursday evening at Rock Inn.  William Denman, president of the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce, praised Frank Lewis as a man of action; a man responsible for important progress. 

 

Harry Bluler recalled how Frank Lewis had built the Bainbridge swimming pool and contributed substantially to its cost.  This pool is unusually large (about twice as big as Sidney's pool) and very well constructed.  Mr. Lewis built all the additions since 1934 that have been made to the Scintilla Division of the Bendix Corporation, the Scintilla Cafeteria, many apartment houses, two additions to The Hospital in Sidney, numerous highway bridges, St. Paul's Catholic School in Norwich and many other proejcts.

 

Glen Whitaker, president of The Hospital board, told of the fine work done by Frank Lewis in the construction of two major additions to The Hospital.  "When it comes to looking young and keeping ahead there is no one like Frank Lewis," said Mr. Whitaker.

 

Rev. Andrus Smith told the group that Frank Lewis has been active in the Episcopal Church for 40 years--he never misses a Sunday.  "Frank Lewis is an outstanding pillar of our church," said Rev. Smith. 



 

Frank Lewis recalled that he began working on construction projects when he was 14 years old. 

 

He was presented with a handsome plaque form the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce.