WILMINGTON — Stephen Anthony Lewis, age 75, died at his home in Wilmington, North Carolina on October 14, 2024 under home Hospice care. Born on June 4, 1949 in Martinsburg, West Virginia, he was the son and only child of Gilbert Nelson Lewis and Audrey Virginia [Lemen] Lewis. He grew up in the Pikeside area of the county and graduated from Martinsburg High School in 1967.
Among the hobbies that Steve enjoyed were model trains and collecting antiques. He loved animals and often stray cats in the neighborhood were tenderly cared by him. He loved his pet cats, his family, and especially his partner, John Tabler.
Quite creative, Steve loved playing the piano and was mostly self-taught. He played for Summit Point United Methodist Church for four years while living in West Virginia. Among the antiques that he owned was a restored player piano. He had collected many old music rolls for it and often entertained friends and relatives. He was also the proud owner of a few cherished Mustang convertibles over the years.
Steve worked at Martinsburg’s Corning Plant for twenty years before relocating to North Carolina. Before retiring, he was the Head of Security at Wilmington’s Screen Gems Studio. While employed at Screen Gems, Steve met many actors and actresses and often shared interesting anecdotes about working with them. He thought highly of John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis, but his favorite was Shirley MacLaine as they really hit it off.
Steve was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington where John serves as their Director of Music. When Steve was unable to attend services at church, he watched it via livestream.
Surviving him is his beloved partner of thirty-nine years, John Alvin Tabler. Other loved ones whom he has left behind include several cousins and John’s sister, Melonie Lynn Orr and her family, and the family of John’s late sister, Maureen Niji.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Foundation, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401-7335; First Presbyterian Church Music Fund, 125 S. 3rd Street, Wilmington, NC 28405; or New Hanover County Humane Society, 2405 N. 23rd St., Wilmington, NC 28405.
