Lee John Thew

Obituary Lee John Thew, Sr. February 1935 - June 2023 Lee John Thew, Sr., a resident of Equinox Terrace, Manchester, Vermont, died peacefully, on June 26, 2023. John was born in Washington, DC on February 18,1935 to Lee James and Ione (Matott) Thew. John married his childhood sweetheart Joicey Lee (Mastbrook), in 1953. His occupation as a Finish Carpenter gave him many opportunities to travel with his family and live in Maryland, Georgia, Virginia and West Virginia. His love of the Lord was very important in his life. He was a longtime faithful member of the Nazarene Church. One of John’s favorite memories was helping build a church in the Philippines. He and his wife were part of a group that helped start a new Nazarene Church in Maryland, which later became the Gaithersburg Church of the Nazarene. John was very proud of his family. He loved having his sons work with him in his general contracting business in Maryland, before being employed by Dan Ryan Contractors in West Virginia. He loved working with his hands whether it was building a cradle for his grandchild, decorating churches at Christmas time, or helping someone in need of a repair. In his retirement, his impressive full beard, physical stature and demeaner led John to a successful seasonal career as a professional Santa for over 10 years. In addition to being a “mall Santa,” John appeared in parades and at community events and visited children in hospitals. When he needed a Mrs. Claus, his wife jumped right in. As Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, John and Joicey posed for many special Christmas photos with parents, children, pets and pet owners alike. John was able to appear as Santa one last time for Christmas 2022 and entertained the residents of Equinox Terrace and children at the local YMCA. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Joicey Lee; siblings Daniel and Helen Thew; his children, Lee Jr. and wife Brenda of Jefferson, MD, Daniel Wayne, Tim and wife Connie of Poolesville, MD, Jeff Thew and Wendy Scott of Shaftsbury, VT, and Melody Thew of Suches, GA; his grandchildren, Alex (Caroline) Thew, Zachary (Wendy) Thew, Jessica (James) Fink, Pamela (Ian) Valdivia, Amy (Bradley) Sasser, McKinley Scott Keafabber, Jonathan Haden, and Kelsey (Chris) McKee; eight great-grandchildren and 12 nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, John was pre-deceased by his sister Elizabeth Sweeney, one niece and one nephew. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Habitat for Humanity, 322 Lamar Street, Americus, GA 31709-3543 (www.habitat.org) or to Children’s National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue NW, Washington, DC 200010 (https://childrensnational.org). A memorial service will be held at 11AM on August 8, 2023, at the First Baptist Church of Bennington, VT. Guestbook condolences may be made at www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net