Lew Stoddard Dies

I am so very sad to have to post that early Sunday morning Lew Stoddard passed away after a lengthy battle with leukemia. I met with Lew 2 weeks ago and, in spite of his clearly poor health, he remained steadfast in his desire to do whatever he could to clear Wilbert Coffin's name.

Lew had come to appreciate the resilient and caring attitudes of the many Gaspésians he met over the years. Although he never was able to enjoy his wish to spend time in Gaspé, I believe he was able to get a true sense of the area and its people. He became especially fond of the many members of the Coffin family & wished he could have lived to see Wilbert's name be cleared.

Plans are not yet made for a celebration of this gentle & generous man's life, and I will post again when I have more information to share with Lew's followers.........Lani Baker Mitchell

for Lew.....

A good man never dies--
In worthy deed and prayer
And helpful hands, and honest eyes,
If smiles or tears be there:
Who lives for you and me--
Lives for the world he tries
To help--he lives eternally.
A good man never dies.

Who lives to bravely take
His share of toil and stress,
And, for his weaker fellows' sake,
Makes every burden less,--
He may, at last, seem worn--
Lie fallen--hands and eyes
Folded--yet, though we mourn and mourn,
A good man never dies.

(James Whitcomb Riley)