John C. Lewis II, age 76, of Farmington, CT, passed away on September 20, 2014 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, surrounded by his loving family. John was born July 6, 1938 in Hartford, CT to Ada (Masoni) and John C. Lewis. In his youth, John was an outstanding all-around athlete who participated in many sports including basketball, football, baseball, track & field and swimming; but football was his true passion. He went on to become the Captain of his 1957 Hall High School football team. Before sustaining an injury which ended his professional football aspirations, John and his parents were in negotiations with the New York Giants of the NFL and he was heavily recruited by division one NCAA teams. The injury almost cost him his left leg and doctors told him he would never walk again, but his passion for football and his relentless determination not only got him walking, but led him back onto the football field where he learned a new position and became an all-state kicker. It was this never quit attitude that earned him the nickname, “The Bull”. John was always willing to volunteer his time helping others. He was the president of the Catholic Youth Organization as well as a member of Saint Thomas the Apostle Church as an alter server for many years. John went on to become a proud graduate of Boston College where his three brothers are also alumnus. While at BC, John gave everyone a glimpse into his natural entrepreneurial spirit by running his own businesses such as a laundry service as well as bible, sweater and grinder sales. Also during his time at BC, he met his best friend and partner for life, Albina “Bina” (Tellier) Lewis. John graduated from BC in May of 1961 and married Bina on October 21, 1961, in Willimantic, CT. John and Bina were inseparable for the next 53 years in all aspects of life. John’s professional career began when he joined his father and helped run the family business known as Hartford Automotive Company. After the sale of Hartford Automotive, John began a lifelong career in the financial and insurance industries. He began his career as a Life Insurance Agent for Sun Life of Canada and became a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC). He became the fastest agent to reach the top 3% of worldwide sales for Sun Life of Canada; accomplishing this tremendous feat in his first year with the company. He also qualified for and became a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table earned only by the top producing life insurance agents. He went on to become a member of and served as President of the Hartford Life Underwriters and was also a member and officer of the Connecticut Life Underwriters. Additionally, he served on the Board of Directors for Glastonbury Bank and Trust Co. for a number of years. John eventually opened The Lewis Companies, a financial services organization that grew to over 100 employees with offices in Connecticut and Florida, and clients all over the United States. The Lewis Companies became the number one producing agency for Washington National Life Insurance Company in the United States. John was an innovator in the financial industry and helped create the concept of one-stop shopping for financial services. He also developed state of the art sales systems in partnership with Travelers Insurance Company that were integrated into all independent insurance agencies at that time. Throughout his career he obtained and maintained numerous other professional licenses and designations such as the CT Real Estate Broker’s License, Series 6 and 7 securities licenses, and Property and Casualty, Life and Health, and Annuities licenses. Until his death, John remained a trusted financial confidant to family, friends and clients providing his expertise to help others obtain financial security especially for their retirement years. John seamlessly managed his professional responsibilities with his family life. He and Bina raised four children; Michele, Linda, Kathleen and John III. John always said his proudest accomplishment was raising his children. He was a very supportive parent attending all of the kids’ activities and volunteering whenever needed. Amongst other things, John was a coach and also the President of the Wethersfield Youth Football League for many years. John was a big supporter of the Wethersfield Youth Hockey Association helping to get the league established and serving as the Treasurer for many years. He also devoted many hours to grow the Wethersfield Barracudas Youth Swim Team. John had many hobbies but most enjoyed boating and vacationing with family at his homes on the Connecticut shore, Cape Cod and in Florida. John enjoyed golfing and was a founding member of the TPC in Cromwell, CT. He was also a long time member of the Wethersfield Country Club. As a young adult he was a member of the CT Governor’s Foot Guard First Company with his father and brother, Fred. John was loved and admired by everyone he knew. He had an uncanny sense of business and never settled for anything less than the best. He will always be remembered as a figure of strength and confidence as well as a kind hearted and generous man. He loved his family and was an amazing son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather and friend. He will remain in our hearts forever. John is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Albina Lewis; their four children, Michele Lewis, Linda Lewis, Kathleen (Lewis) Harwell and her husband Earl Harwell, John C. Lewis III and his wife Sonia Lewis; their six grandchildren, Yaritza Lewis, Earl Harwell II, Chase Harwell, Jake Harwell, Troy Harwell and John C. Lewis IV; his brother Frederick J. Lewis and his wife Janet Lewis; his sister- in-law Marilyn Lewis; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. John was predeceased by his parents John C. and Ada Lewis; his brother, William Lewis and his wife Helen; his brother, Thomas G. Lewis; and his grandchildren, Joseph and Mary Harwell. Calling hours will be held from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, on Thursday, October 2, 2014 at Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06110. Funeral procession will begin at 9:00am on Friday, October 3, 2014 at Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am at Saint Thomas the Apostle Church, 872 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford CT. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, 200 Whitman Avenue, West Hartford, CT. In lieu of flowers, John’s wishes were for donations to be made to The Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org , or mail to Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.