Lewis Floyd Fargo, loving husband, father
Lewis “Lew” Floyd Fargo passed away Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. He was born April 19, 1933, in Denver, Colo., and lived a remarkable life defined by achievement, curiosity, resilience, and joy. He was much more than his lifelong struggle with bipolar illness; he was a scholar, athlete, engineer, executive, entrepreneur, and above all, a devoted husband, father, and friend.
Lew was the son of Glenn Edmund Fargo and Helen Lewis Fargo. His father, a New Hampshire native, earned scholarships to both MIT and Harvard Business School, and went on to manage major department stores before purchasing Bradshaw-Diehl, then the largest department store in West Virginia. Lew spent part of his early schooling at what is now Marshall University before being enrolled at Groton Prep School in Massachusetts at 13, where he distinguished himself both academically and athletically.
Summers were often spent in Marblehead, Mass., with his grandparents, where he sailed his boat Brutal Beast, caught and sold lobsters, and swam competitively at Corinthian Yacht Club, where his grandfather was commodore. He also spent a summer at Culver Naval Academy in Indiana, where he earned the school’s highest honor, the Gold Tuxis Medal. Later, at Lawrenceville School in New Jersey, Lew won the National French Prize and excelled in both football and cross-country, helping lead his team to a state championship. It was there that his lifelong interest in aviation began, often sneaking away from campus to take flying lessons at a nearby airport.
Lew attended Princeton University beginning in 1951, where Albert Einstein was among his professors. A talented athlete, he played football in the same backfield as 1951 Heisman Trophy winner Richard “Dick” Kazmaier. He graduated with a degree in civil engineering and served as commander of the Air Force ROTC. Lew remained active with his Princeton Class of 1955, known for its enduring commitment to service. He later earned an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business, where the legendary Peter Drucker was his thesis advisor.
Lew began his career with W.R. Grace & Co. in New York before joining Hercules, where he managed the Polaris Missile Program at their Rocky Hill, N.J. facility. He was later transferred to Hercules’ Wilmington headquarters, where he met and married the love of his life, Lois Carl. At only 30 years old, he became the youngest plant manager in Hercules history when appointed to lead their Super Temp Wire Plant in Winooski, Vt.
A gifted athlete, Lew was a lifelong golfer and multiple winner of Presidents and Past Presidents Cups at Hercules Country Club. He was also a proud 32nd-degree Freemason and a licensed professional engineer.
Lew later joined Rollins Inc. in Wilmington, working closely with President John Rollins on mergers and acquisitions. In 1973, he became manager of Rollins Jamaica Ltd., near Montego Bay, overseeing hotels, golf courses, real estate development, and agriculture across the 7,000-acre Rose Hall property. He also designed water systems for nearby villages during a water crisis, providing critical relief.
During his tenure, Rose Hall became a filming location for the movies “Papillon” and “Live and Let Die.” Lew counted actors Dustin Hoffman, Steve McQueen, and Roger Moore among his friends and neighbors. With his rugged good looks and fluency in French, he was offered the role of the prison commandant in “Papillon,” an opportunity he later regretted turning down.
After returning to the U.S., the family settled in Chadds Ford, Pa., where Lew became CEO of Deemer Steel in New Castle, and later served as vice president of Lebanon Steel in Pennsylvania. Eventually, Lew and Lois chose to move to the Delaware shore, where they purchased a home near Cape Henlopen State Park.
There, Lew began a new chapter as an entrepreneur, purchasing a small print shop in Ocean View named Coastal Printing. When his son Lance joined the company after college, the business grew steadily into Coastal Printing & Graphics, serving the local community for many years.
Lew was also known for his love of the outdoors and his zest for life. A familiar sight at Cape Henlopen State Park, he could often be found practicing three-point shots on the basketball courts or swimming in the ocean at Navy Point. In town, he was easily recognized driving through Lewes with his car window down and his yellow Labrador, Brie, riding beside him with her head out the window, ears flapping in the breeze. Later years brought moves to Wolfe Pointe, Lewes, and finally the Woodlands of Bethany.
Lew was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Virginia Budworth and Glenn E. Fargo Jr. He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Lois Carl Fargo; his son Lance Glenn Fargo and daughter-in-law Paula Beth Fargo of Frankford, and Reisterstown, Md.; his sister-in-law June Fargo of South Elgin, Ill.; his niece Karen Helm of Elgin, Ill.; and his nephew Jeffrey (Shelly) Fargo of Sedona, Ariz.
He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Judie Van De Venter and brother-in-law Jon Van De Venter of Tannersville, Pa.; nieces and nephews, Valerie (Troy) Van Zummeren of Stuttgart, Germany, Vanessa (Sean) Halloran of Havertown, Pa., Christopher (Liz) Van De Venter of Old Hickory, Tenn., and Nathaniel (Katie) Van De Venter of Coronado, Calif.; and many great-nieces and -nephews.
A celebration of Lew’s life will be held Thursday, Nov. 6. For details, contact the family directly.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to AccentCare Hospice, 416 Williams St., Ste. 33, Milford, DE 19963, or Brandywine Valley SPCA, 22918 DuPont Blvd., Georgetown, DE 19447.
