Lewis J. Zachas, Sr., “Lew,” 76, beloved husband of Catherine (Sullivan) Zachas, of Salem, passed away in Mystic at the Pendleton Health & Rehabilitation Center on October 9, 2018, after a sudden battle with melanoma cancer. Born in Astoria, NY, on July 16, 1942, he was the son of the late Louis and Lillian (Lynch) Zachas. Lew grew up in Holyoke, MA, and served in the Army National Guard from 1964-1970.
He married Catherine (Sullivan) Zachas on June 26, 1965, at St. Mary’s Church in New London, and they celebrated their 53rd anniversary this summer. The couple raised their three children in Salem, CT, where Lew was a Little League coach, active with the Boy Scouts and a member of the Board of Recreation. Lew was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Lakes Church, and a lifetime member of the New London Elks Club.
Always hardworking, Lew started out as a meat cutter in Holyoke, MA, before transferring to New London. Lew then worked in car sales and management for over 40 years, most recently at MJ Sullivan in New London, where he retired in 2007. He loved meeting new people and finding mutual bonds and experiences.
Lew was an avid golfer from the time he was a caddy at nine years old at Wyckoff Country Club in Holyoke, MA, where he won numerous junior championships. He was a longtime member at Shennecossett Golf Course in Groton and then at Pautipaug Country Club in Baltic for over 30 years. After retirement, he was proud to assist with the NFA Golf Team.
Lew enjoyed camping and attending Blue Grass festivals with family and friends. Lew traveled extensively with his wife, both before and after their retirement. For the last 8 years, Lew and Catherine spent their winters in New Smyrna Beach, FL.
Each summer they would camp with their children and grandchildren at Lake Winnipesaukee in NH. Lew will be missed dearly by his wife, Catherine, of 53 years; his three children and their spouses, Cathy-Lou (Zachas) Adams of Salem, David and his wife Kelly (Green) Zachas of Colchester, Lewis J. Zachas, Jr. and his wife Becky (Fowler) Zachas of Windham, NH; a sister, Barbara (Zachas) Koshinsky of Navarre, FL; a brother, Stephen Zachas and his wife Debbie of West Greenwich, RI; seven grandchildren: Katie, David, Maureen, Joseph, Sarah, Lauren and Riley; and many members of the extended Sullivan and Poole families and friends. He is predeceased by his late sister, Connie (Zachas) Sharpe, and brother, Jim Zachas.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, October 12th from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Rd. , Colchester. The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, October 13th at 10 a.m. directly at Our Lady of the Lakes Church, 752 Norwich-Salem Tpke.
, Oakdale, CT. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in New London. Donations in Lew’s memory may be made to the Melanoma Research Fund – Kluger at Yale Cancer Center, PO Box 7611, New Haven, CT 06519.
For additional information please contact Tamiko Collier at 203-436-8550 or tamiko. collier@yale. edu.
For online condolences, please visit www. auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com.
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