Frederick Orville Lewis

Frederick O. Lewis Jr. age 90 of Upper Darby, PA passed on October 7, 2023 surrounded by all those who loved him.  Born and raised in Philadelphia the son of Frederick and Mary Lewis.  Frederick was a child prodigy pianist who played, composed and arranged music all his life until a few years ago. He also had a second love which was baseball.  He was a very talented pitcher who was selected for the Philadelphia Athletics farm team but pursued his first love which was music. He was chosen to attend the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music where he graduated and became an active alumni board member. He played in a band named the Monarchs who he accompanied Bob Hope while in the US Air Force, Paul Anka, Frankie Avalon and Chubby Checker.  Wilt Chamberlain enjoyed coming out to hear Frederick play.  He was a Professor of Music at Temple University and the Community College of Philadelphia.   

Most important was his devotion to his family which he was always fully committed to. His first piano teacher as an adult was Despina Chletcos who he fell in love with and married and enjoyed a 60+ year love affair.   He is survived by is loving children - daughter Veronica Lewis-Crisp (Michael), sons Frederick O Lewis III (Doreen), and Jeffrey P. Lewis (Maureen) and 6 grandchildren Kirsten (Kevin), Marianne, William, Jeffrey, Matthew, and Ryan and 3 great grandchildren Corinn, Lochlan and Brenna.  

A viewing will be held at The Laurel Hill Funeral Home Chapel with in West Laurel Hill Cemetery located at 225 Belmont Avenue Bala Cynwyd, Pa. 19004 in the chapel beginning at 11:00 am.  The service will begin at 1:00 pm and the burial will be at 2:00 pm.  Memorial contributions may be sent to the Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 or St. Demetrios Church 221 Powell Lane Upper Darby, PA 19082. 

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