Milford Lewison

MADISON -Milford, known as John, Lewison passed away Friday, May 19, 2017 at home, his bed on the sun-porch, encompassed by the love of Mary Beth, and his children, Andrea, Susan, John and Johanna. He and Mary Beth would have been married 53 years this summer.

John was born in Madison, Wisconsin to Alvin and Dorothy Lewison and lived on Spaight Street until his marriage- a true “eastsider”. He attended Marquette and Edgewood elementary schools, Edgewood High School and the University of Wisconsin. After two years at the university he went into business with his father, Al. They owned and operated Sportsmen’s Home in the Shorewood Shopping Center on University Avenue. It was a sporting goods store “way out on the west side” of Madison. Changing with the times, the store morphed into Downhill Sports and specialized in ski equipment, hockey and ice skates, and in the summer, bicycles, bicycles, bicycles! Unable to hammer a nail in straight, John nonetheless became an expert at bike repair. After closing Downhill Sports, John worked with his sister-in-law and brother-in-law at Monona Village Pedaler and then finished his working career with Budget Bicycle. His memory was sharp, his smile easy and frequent and his quiet self, was listening and always interested in what others were saying.

There were three things that dominated John’s life: his family, his work and sports.

He was so proud of his children and their accomplishments. It was in part largely because of him that the Lewisons have family dinner every Sunday, often attended by friends and extended family. As the grandchildren came along, it was even more important to have those dinners, extending the bond of family love which will remain in our hearts and minds forever. At work the next day his co-workers were regaled with the latest details of the kid’s lives and what was on the menu. After he retired much thought went into the next Sunday’s dinner, combined with the necessary grocery shopping. When he found a bargain he bought enough to share with the kids. They went home each week loaded down with leftovers and something he thought they could put in the freezer. He was able to live life a second time around because of his grandchildren, Aaron, Evan, Mary, Katie and our bonus baby, Ryan! Nothing was too good for those grandchildren. They brought him exquisite joy-and they all have bicycles! His generosity extended to nieces and nephews too.

John was defined by his work. He had a crazy penchant for numbers-he never needed a calculator. He took great pride in building two businesses and then in working for Budget Bicycle, so close to the action on Regent Street. Even when he had cancer, he worked every day in between radiation sessions of two a day! He just loved his work, his co-workers and his customers, often saying, “You’ll never guess who came into the store today.” It was the best of jobs. Where else can you work with the guys, talk sports all day, and get paid doing it?

John was a good listener and he had a mind for sports facts that no other person equaled. Before the advent of the internet, John was the go-to guy for sports statistics. It wasn’t uncommon for him to get a call saying, “John, we have a bet, who were the pitchers in the 1950’s World Series” or “which Olympics was it when Eric Heiden won those gold medals?” He loved all sports, each season bringing on a new obsession with the current sport, Badger football and hockey occupying top priority.

John is survived by his wife, Mary Beth; his children, Andrea (Al Wilimovsky), Susan (Perry) Frank, John (Ruthie Goldman), and Johanna (Tom) Young. He is preceded in death by his infant son, Jamie; his parents, Alvin and Dorothy; and sister, Janet.

Known to us all in a variety of ways: John, Johnny, Lew, Lewby, John Lew, Cakers, Papa and Pops, what a man, what a life!

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 26, 2017, at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 401 South Owen Drive, Madison, with Msgr. Kenneth Fiedler presiding. A visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday, May 25, 2017, at JOYCE-RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 5701 Odana Road, Madison, and again from 10:00 AM until time of Mass on Friday at the church. Burial at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.

The Lewison family would like to acknowledge the stellar staffs of University Hospital, Capitol Lakes Health, UW Home Health and Agrace Hospice who treated him with gentle care and the ultimate respect. A special thanks to Dr. Ann Stein. In lieu of flowers, if you’d like to give a donation, please consider the American Family Children’s Hospital, Agrace Hospice or a charity of your choice. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com