Joe Lewis

Joe, beloved father, husband, boss, friend, neighbor, Portlander, human, and lover of life, left this world on Friday, January 3. His family created this page in his honor to collect and preserve the light, love, and laughter he brought into our lives.

Please add your memories and photos of Joe below. We will treasure everything you can share.

Obituary

Joe Lewis of Portland, died Jan. 3, 2025. A beloved husband, father, Portlander, friend, neighbor, and attorney, Joe was 61.



Born in Evansville, Indiana, of Jacqueline Lewis (Guccione), Joe also lived in Connecticut before his family settled in Bergen County for his formative years, cementing his identity as a New Yorker. Joe got his BA from Fordham in 1986, where he lived in the Bronx and started making Sunday gravy. Joe worked in NYC and the Bay Area, where honed his sales and mapmaking skills. In Brooklyn, he formed Decision Support Services, a GIS company, and put his strong intellect and entrepreneurial spirit to work. Joe had his two children there, sources of pride and joy ever since.



Joe moved to Portland in 1999 with his young family. He quickly grew to love Maine, embracing winter by constructing an ice rink in his backyard. He earned his JD from the University of Maine School of Law in 2010 and then started Port City Legal. Joe grew PCL to a small but mighty firm emphasizing respect and compassion for its clients while making a home for its employees. He changed many clients’ lives with his tremendous advocacy and wise counsel. A vital presence in the Portland legal community and friend to lawyers and court staff alike, Joe was a founding member of the Katahdin Counsel Recognition Program, devoting hours to Mainers in need of advocacy.



Joe was a life force, impacting all who knew him. Generous with friends and strangers, he excelled at making meaningful human connections. He had an enormous and voracious intellect, devouring information from medieval history to the secrets of the cosmos. He was a talented and inventive cook, drawing on local restaurant favorites, Maine’s bounty of fish, and his travels – injecting love (and garlic) into every dish. Joe was both gentle and a born fighter, a heady combination. Joe loved long summer days at the Scarborough Beach, cooking for friends and family, and giving much of his time to his wife. He planned their joyous adventures in Sardinia, Sicily, and Turkey; they regularly visited Quebec City and Acadia National Park, and he was in the process of discovering Maine’s best hiking trails. He treasured time with his daughter at a Montana horse ranch and was planning a chartered sail of the Croatian coast, with dreams of months exploring southern seas to come. Most of all, Joe was magnificent at being human and seeing, appreciating, and giving love.



Joe is survived by his children, Anthony Joseph and Mackenzie Mae, and his bonus-children, Emma and Ellison, as well as his wife and love of his life: Maryellen. 

Gallery

Memory wall

January 24, 2025

I met Joe in 1978, as thirteen-year-old freshman away from home at boarding school. Each morning, Joe—whose daily job was working in the cafeteria at breakfast--would greet me from behind the counter with a kind word or two and a bagel, which he’d kept in reserve for me, making me feel special and seen.

Three decades later, while on a road trip, I heard a voice on a radio quiz show that made me say to my husband, “That sounds exactly like Joe Lewis.” At the end of the contest, when the announcer said, “Congratulations, Joe Lewis from Maine, you’ve won!” I was overwhelmed with joy. That prompted me to find Joe on Facebook and reconnect with him. Not surprisingly, he welcomed me back into his life with several message exchanges.

If I could go back in time, I would have spent more time with Joe. He was smart, funny, and overbearingly kind. He emitted a warmth that was genuine and inviting, and I was fortunate enough to see him at the 2023 Barlow reunion. The world lost a beautiful person, and I grieve for myself and Joe’s family. May Joe’s enduring kindness sustain his loved ones, though he will always be missed.

Diane Saxonberg Boles

January 17, 2025

Joe was, by far, one of the best human beings I’ve ever met. Back in 1996, I was working with GIS mapping software in my home country, Venezuela, and preparing to move to Brooklyn with my wife, Camila Crazut, to pursue our master’s degrees at Pratt Institute. I thought it would be a good idea to post on a Listserv offering my services. Just three days later, I received a reply from Joe that said: “I’m your man. Call me when you get here.”

So I did—and he hired me on the spot. I became part of Decision Support Services, where Joe’s passion for technology and maps shone brightly. He loved practicing his well-known salesman pitches, which I came to admire. Joe also introduced me to one of his favorite foods: mushrooms and onions pizza from a Brooklyn corner store—a tradition I still carry on today.

Joe welcomed us in his life with open arms and offered a friendship that Camila and I have cherished for all these years. He always kept in touch, and he and Maryellen visited us in Brooklyn whenever they had the chance. Joe’s kindness was boundless and unwavering, a constant reminder of the goodness in the world.

His passing has made me reflect deeply on the true value of life—a value Joe lived to the fullest. I will miss him dearly, but I carry a smile in my heart, fueled by gratitude for having known him.

Rest in peace, my dear friend.

— César Salazar

Camila Crazut and Cesar Salazar

January 16, 2025

We’re heartbroken. We love Joe. We love how much Joe loved Maryellen - and his kids and hers - and how often he expressed gratitude for them all being in his life.

We love his warmth, kindness, curiousity, thoughtfulness, intellect, and humor. And also the grilled peaches in the backyard in Portland, strolls in the rain along the Maine coast, and his favorite hidden-away Italian cafes in Miami.

He was a craftsman with words, a conversationalist extraordinaire, and so engaging, entertaining, caring, and smart. We loved his thought-provoking takes on topics small and large, local and global. He cared deeply about Portland and his community.

Has there ever been a more enthusiastic greeting than Joe’s? It always included a warm embrace, beaming smile, and one of his signature lines like “Hello beautiful people!” Joe’s joy for life was contagious and he always made us (and others) feel appreciated and welcome.

Whatever the occasion, Joe always seemed to return the conversation to being grateful for the moment and for being with Maryellen. Joe, you’re a beautiful man and a great friend. We miss you.

Jennifer & Michael Samway

January 16, 2025

Memories of Joe will be in our hearts forever. Back in the day, many good times were had between the Daniel and Lewis families - in California, Brooklyn, and Maine. We admired Joe for his wit and humor, but especially for his love and devotion to his family unit. Rest in peace, Joe.
With love from Laura, Eric, Michaela, and Emily

Laura Daniel

January 15, 2025

I met Joe in high school. We were both new to the school starting in 11th grade. We established a rapport with some good banter and a similar flavor of sarcasm. Way back then I appreciated his observations both drawn from watching the world and his introspections. Our conversations easily traversed between the mundane and philosophical.

While appreciating his wit, one couldn't help note that Joe cared! Cheers Joe for being a voice of reason and advocating for consequences to the morally challenged both in an out of the courtroom.

I will miss you.

Reid Richter

January 15, 2025

Did you think of Joe as a big country music fan? Neither did he. But he had somehow gotten tickets to see Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July picnic at Giants Stadium in 1983 and we — a few years after we were Barlow School classmates —saw an adventure in the making. He drove by the Upper West Side to pick me up and we spent the afternoon, in the Meadowlands heat, thinking about country music fans; the USA; the old Italian ladies in the South Bronx he had charmed when he had moved there while attending Fordham; and so much more. Last year, we had made plans to see each other when he was visiting my home state of Oregon. The visit didn't come off, to my regret. Somehow, you know, I thought it was inevitable that we’d become good friends as adults. I’ll miss him.

Peter Krasilovsky

January 12, 2025

I had the tremendous pleasure to meet - and work with.- Joe through the legal community. His infectious energy would light up every room. Somehow, he managed to instill a light-hearted approach to each interaction, while maintaining an unwavering and professional advocacy for his clients.

He reminded me that lawyers are people do. We’re human, and need to share our personalities and gifts with each other.

He’ll be so missed… my heart goes out to his family and friends.

Sarah Glynn

January 11, 2025

Through many years of raising our kids together, one of the fondest memories I have is the legendary ice rink at my sister Karen and Joe’s house on Seely Ave. that Joe built every winter. It was a true labor of love, and it brought so much joy to our families. I’ll always treasure the memories of our children skating together, laughing and playing, sharing in those moments of warmth and togetherness. Rest in peace, Joe—your efforts to create joy and lasting memories for our families will never be forgotten.

Alice Whealan

January 11, 2025

I got to know Joe as one of his hairstylists.
For many years (10) I worked at Bang. I haven’t been there for about 4 years now, so it’s been since that long since I had seen him in person. But for those 10 years, I had the pleasure of getting to know Joe, and his whole family.
If you’ve ever been to a hair salon, you know what is said in the stylists chair, stays in the stylists chair. You get to know people, *really* get to know some of them.
I learned of a few of Joe’s “secrets” but what I also learned is that the Joe you, and I, and everyone saw, was the same Joe. A kind, funny, caring Joe.
We spoke a few times through Facebook, and he even commented on one of my posts stating that if my officiant couldn’t make it, he would have officiated my wedding (and he would have been my second choice of course).

Learning of Joe’s passing left me speechless. I’m still processing that he’s gone.

Joe. You were one of a kind.

🖤

Krystal Stone

January 10, 2025

We met Joe and Mackenzie at the Rocking Z Ranch, Montana. We had flown from our farm in Perth Western Australia to have a week of trail riding in the beautiful hills of Montana. Joe and his daughter, Mackenzie were so friendly and great to talk to and ride with. Joe said he had never ridden a horse before and yet he sat on a horse and rode like he had been riding all his life. He was interested in everything; it was refreshing to meet a human being so kind, intelligent and without the need to project his ego into a conversation. He was never upset if things weren’t quite how he thought they should be, he simply laughed and moved on. Joe loved his daughter, they would take walks around the farm every evening at sundown, it was a private evening ritual. Afterwards we would sit outside the saloon and discuss the celestial sky, current issues, horses and our bucket lists. He was always smiling and interested in everything and everyone. I’ve never met anyone like Joe. He was a private man but at the same time he could share great stories and laughter. He had the ability to make a person feel they had known him a long time. He certainly was a gentleman. I will always remember Joe when I look to the stars and I am positive he will have gathered a group of galaxies together just to chat and find out more about how they shine.
My heart goes out to Mackenzie and her family. I’m deeply shocked and saddened by Joe’s passing, I had hoped to see him and Mackenzie again, perhaps in Portland and to chat about cowboys and horses. Farewell Joe.

Robyn and Rob Davies

January 10, 2025

Joe non era un semplice cliente, era un grande amico con cui io e Fabiana abbiamo condiviso chiacchere ed allegria. Amavamo quel sorriso sempre presente, su suo viso ed il suo temperamento positivo ed entusiasta. Ci mancherà tantissimo, ma il suo ricordo resterà indelebile nelle nostre menti. Enrico e Fabiana
Joe was not just a customer, he was a great friend with whom Fabiana and I shared chats and cheerfulness. We loved that ever-present smile on his face and his positive and enthusiastic temperament. We will miss him dearly, but his memory will remain indelible in our minds. Enrico and Fabiana

Enrico e Fabiana

January 10, 2025

I remember Joey as a child since he was a much younger cousin and we all moved away from north Jersey after Grandma Rose passed away but I remember the impish smile he always had and the tricks he would play on the adults. We could never find him during hide and seek because he was so much smaller and fit into the strangest places! It's sad that we are so far apart except in blood and memories but that is what holds us together. RIP

Dawn Franklin

January 10, 2025

Shoveling snow.
These were the first times I came to know Joe

Joe felt compelled to do the shoveling every snow
Small or large
When I insisted that I should help, he scoffed
Trying to beat Joe to the shovel
And begin scooping before he did
Inevitably, he would beat me to it or come and help
Always telling me to go back inside

A ritual formed
We would shovel together and tell stories
Recount career paths, Family, Those we loved
How we ended up in Maine
Discussed Politics, Law, Baseball, How work was going
The food we cooked and enjoyed, Where he and Maryellen would travel next

At one point during a particularly deep snow, he called me a Mensch
Looking puzzled, he explained the origins of the word
I was touched

Joe’s kind observations and expressions of love were only exceeded by
His admiration and adornment for Maryellen
Ever-present and blissfully apparent
How he looked at her,
His effort to eradicate the grass from between the bricks,
From the sidewalk in front of their house, before Maryellen returned from the south,
Because he knew she would appreciate it

…….I came to Maine
I searched for an apartment and found
A family, a neighborhood, a community,
And a friend in Joe

Jack Lesko

January 9, 2025

“Joe is coming too, right?” Ever since Joe became part of our family, that is the question my kids would ask every holiday. The four of them adored Joe. Our conversations around the Thanksgiving table were more interesting, fun and thought provoking when Joe was there. He brought an energy that we didn’t know we needed and can’t imagine living without. Joe was positive and supportive .Wow, could he cook! One weekend I stayed with Maryellen and Joe and they took such good care of me. I felt loved! Joe cooked amazing meals and I was in awe of his ability to juggle multiple dishes while holding a high level conversation! He was so smart.

His love for my dear sister-in-law was the type of love we all strive for. I remember the glow they both had the first night she introduced Joe to us and that glow continued every time I saw them.
Joe, you made such an impact on our lives and we promise to be better and do better because of your influence on us. We love you and miss you so much already.

Jennifer Sullivan

January 9, 2025

I met Joe shortly after entering legal practice in 2015. After my first job, Joe tried to recruit me, but the timing didn't work out. Since then, I had to pleasure of working with Joe many times, and I would often run into him and Maryellen at Scarborough Beach in the summers - we all loved the beach; its my happy place, and I think it was theirs too. Joe and I settled a case together in August, and after we got lunch at Pizza by Alex. I have thought about that lunch many times since I learned of his death. We talked about law, about our families, about the future. I am so sad there will not be more lunches, more joking around while waiting in court, or calls to catch up with the excuse of discussing a case. Joe's enthusiasm was infectious, and he was so kind. I admired his relentless cheerfulness. It feels impossible that he is gone, and our community is worse off for his loss. When talking about Joe with others since his death, people have often said the same thing: how kind he was. Joe was an incredible friend, opposing counsel, and human. Joe is irreplaceable.

Jacqueline Moss

January 9, 2025

I’ve known Maryellen since 7th grade. Our beautiful group of friends have shared a lot of life together. Maryellen’s time with Joe is part of the highlight reel. This wonderful woman meets this amazing man and they fall crazy in love. Best story ever. Rest easy, Joe. Time was way too short.

Mary Bentley

January 9, 2025

I remember our first get-together with Joe and Maryellen shortly after they met, and being slightly over protective, I wanted to make sure this guy was legit. I watched every move he made! Immediately in awe of his casual personality, quick wit, humor and intelligence, I knew he was a great match for Maryellen. Every gathering since, we’ve enjoyed great conversations and laughs, like we've known him forever!

My absolute favorite thing about Joe – his unrelenting admiration for my dear friend. Witnessing his love and respect for Maryellen was like watching a tennis match- the volley of affection simply mesmerizing - nothing more pure and honest!

Wishing we had more time, more laughs. We will miss you, Joe Lewis!

Lauren & Pete D’Amato

Lauren & Pete D'Amato

January 9, 2025

Joe was my dear friend and one of my closest legal mentors. He gave me the idea of starting Casco Bay Law in 2014 and encouraged me to do it. Then, he hosted me in his spare office for my first two years in practice, taught me how to start and run a law office, and helped me with all of my first cases. I really can't even quantify how many hours of time Joe devoted to helping me in my career. There simply would be no Casco Bay Law without him. Joe had boundless energy. He was an excellent attorney and a natural leader who seemed driven to help others, including many other fellow attorneys to whom Joe gave sound advice, help and mentorship. I also remember him lighting up like a teenager in love when he first met his wife, Maryellen, and the way he adored his 20-something-year-old kids as much as they loved him in return. He was a fixture in our community. It is a huge loss. I will miss you so much, Joe! Thank you for everything.

Parke Burmeister

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