SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – Gary Martin Lewis, 69, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 3, 2026. Above all else, he will be remembered as a good man who loved his family and friends deeply.
He was born on Aug. 25, 1956, in New Britain, Conn., to Joan and Calvin Lewis. He was the oldest of their four children. Gary spent much of his childhood at his grandfather’s farm, working and enjoying life as a farm kid. In 1969, the family moved to Springfield, Vt., following his father’s job at Idlenot Dairy.
Gary attended Springfield schools, participating in cross-country, ski team, and track and field, and graduating in 1974. After graduation, he followed in his father’s footsteps and began working at Idlenot Dairy, where he and his father worked together until Idlenot’s closing in 1992.
In his younger years, Gary enjoyed four-wheeling, and dirt bike riding and racing, through which he built many lasting friendships and memories. He also enjoyed a good game of racquetball or volleyball, as well as golf tournaments. He met his future wife, Kim Watson, while they were in high school. After Kim returned from college, they began their relationship, and were married on Aug. 22, 1981, sharing nearly 45 years together. They built their home in Perkinsville, Vt., where they raised their three sons, Cole, Devin, and Karson.
Gary always prioritized family first. He was an extremely hard worker who couldn’t sit still. When he wasn’t working, he spent his time with his boys biking, skiing, skating, sledding, swimming, throwing the baseball, playing a good game of Horse, and teaching them life lessons in his own way. As they grew, he became a coach for multiple sports at Weathersfield schools. During this time, he also became a second father figure to many of their friends. Gary and Kim attended nearly every game, often being the loudest supporters in the stands.
Gary loved spending time with his family, from holidays and gatherings, to trips to Winchester, annual camping trips, time spent in Keene with the Dodge family, and visits to the lake house with the Watson family. He loved his family deeply, and there are countless stories that reflect that love.
After Idlenot Dairy closed, Gary worked at Ben & Jerry’s until they moved out of the area. He later worked for several local companies, including Gurney Brothers and P&L Trucking, before finishing his career delivering fuel for Abenaki Fuels.
In October 2021, Gary became a grandfather to his first grandson, one of the greatest highlights of his life. In June 2023, he welcomed his granddaughter. Shortly after her birth, Gary retired to spend more time with his grandchildren. He was a loving grandfather who enjoyed making them laugh, keeping them entertained, getting into a little mischief, and sharing donuts.
Gary was always ready to help others, especially family, friends, and neighbors. If his boys needed him, he was there immediately, never asking for anything in return, though he never turned down an ice-cold beer at the end of the day.
Gary and Kim experienced the unimaginable loss of their youngest son, Karson, in April 2025, following a battle with brain cancer. Gary carried this loss deeply, along with the loss of his father, Calvin, and his best friend, Brian Dodge.
Gary is survived by his wife, Kim, of 44 years; his son Cole and his wife, Claire; his son Devin; his beloved grandchildren, Brooks and Burkley; his mother, Joan; his brothers, Bob and Alan; his sister, Carol; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.
A celebration of Gary’s life will be held May 16, at 2 p.m., at Crown Point Country Club.