Salem – Lewis Werner Nagel’s 92 years were filled with lifelong friendships, a large and loving family, and a great affection for animals of every kind.
Lew was raised in Lawrence, Massachusetts, with his mother, Mary A. Knops Purcell, and stepfather, James Joseph Purcell. He fondly recalled the times he spent in Brookneal, Virginia, with his siblings, Patsy, Maureen, and Richie. His grandmother, Louise Knops, was a profoundly formative person in his young life, providing the foundation for the honest, candid, and kind man he became.
At a young age, he earned one of his many nicknames, “Herky,” short for Hercules, a moniker that stuck with him for life. His childhood friends—a rowdy band of characters, including Harry, Ronnie, and Spike, to name a few—remained his closest confidants throughout their lives.
If wealth were measured in friendships, Lew would have been the richest man in the world. His impact spanned generations; in the days since his passing, friends he’s known for decades and even children as young as five have shared their lasting memories. He is woven into the fabric of so many lives. Even those who met him only once or twice could recall, in striking detail, his specificity. Friends and family often referred to the “Book of Lew” when recounting classic tales. His quirky turns of phrase, affectionately called “Lewisms,” or his spontaneous jingles had a way of sticking, seeping into the lexicon well beyond his immediate circle.
Lew had a quiet, magnetic presence. He was never the loudest in the room until he burst into song in the middle of a restaurant with a remarkable rendition of ‘God Bless America,’ quickly drawing the whole place into a joyful sing-along. A booming tenor, his voice echoes in all our memories. He sang with heart and presence—whether harmonizing with his mother, singing in the Queen of Peace choir, performing in the spirited Salem Rams shows, honoring loved ones at weddings and funerals, riffing on a show tune, or belting out “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh-inning stretch of a Camp L.I.P. kickball game. His friends and family always knew they could coax an impromptu performance out of him at almost any moment.
Lew and his late wife, Carol Ann Marquis Nagel, raised their children Kyle, Jimmy, Marybeth, Nancy, and Michael in Salem, New Hampshire. Their Woodland Terrace home was, unsurprisingly, right next to Rockingham Park. A once-aspiring jockey, Lew was always at home on the backside of a track. He shared his passion for horse racing with his family, much of which was driven by his extraordinary love and admiration for the horses themselves. Animals loved Lew, and Lew loved animals. His calm, gentle nature drew them to him without any coaxing. Whether hot-walking thoroughbreds, spoiling every dog he ever met, or feeding his fine-feathered friends, his connection to animals was undeniable.
Humble, dedicated, and willful, Lew modeled a tireless work ethic. He was a deeply loyal man, devoted to caring for those he loved. His commitment to Carol’s well-being was steadfast and unwavering, especially in her final years. That same love and devotion found new expression in his relationship with his nine grandchildren, who brought fresh purpose to his life. Later, his great-grandchildren filled him with joy and delight.
In time, he became known as “Sweet Lew,” a fitting name for someone whose quiet kindness and warmth only deepened with age. In his children he instilled a lasting understanding of what it means to be a family; a truth made unmistakably clear when he passed, surrounded by family and dear friends who kept vigil at his side for days.
Lew will be buried alongside Carol in a private ceremony. His family will hold a celebration of life later this fall, honoring Sweet Lew in the fashion he truly deserves. The celebration will be filled with song, laughter, and stories. Those who wish to join may sign up to receive more details here: Celebration of Life for Lewis W. Nagel.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New Hampshire SPCA, an organization that loves animals as much as Lew. Arrangements are in the care of the Carrier Family Funeral Home, Windham, NH. www.carrierfuneralhome.com.
Lew was raised in Lawrence, Massachusetts, with his mother, Mary A. Knops Purcell, and stepfather, James Joseph Purcell. He fondly recalled the times he spent in Brookneal, Virginia, with his siblings, Patsy, Maureen, and Richie. His grandmother, Louise Knops, was a profoundly formative person in his young life, providing the foundation for the honest, candid, and kind man he became.
At a young age, he earned one of his many nicknames, “Herky,” short for Hercules, a moniker that stuck with him for life. His childhood friends—a rowdy band of characters, including Harry, Ronnie, and Spike, to name a few—remained his closest confidants throughout their lives.
If wealth were measured in friendships, Lew would have been the richest man in the world. His impact spanned generations; in the days since his passing, friends he’s known for decades and even children as young as five have shared their lasting memories. He is woven into the fabric of so many lives. Even those who met him only once or twice could recall, in striking detail, his specificity. Friends and family often referred to the “Book of Lew” when recounting classic tales. His quirky turns of phrase, affectionately called “Lewisms,” or his spontaneous jingles had a way of sticking, seeping into the lexicon well beyond his immediate circle.
Lew had a quiet, magnetic presence. He was never the loudest in the room until he burst into song in the middle of a restaurant with a remarkable rendition of ‘God Bless America,’ quickly drawing the whole place into a joyful sing-along. A booming tenor, his voice echoes in all our memories. He sang with heart and presence—whether harmonizing with his mother, singing in the Queen of Peace choir, performing in the spirited Salem Rams shows, honoring loved ones at weddings and funerals, riffing on a show tune, or belting out “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh-inning stretch of a Camp L.I.P. kickball game. His friends and family always knew they could coax an impromptu performance out of him at almost any moment.
Lew and his late wife, Carol Ann Marquis Nagel, raised their children Kyle, Jimmy, Marybeth, Nancy, and Michael in Salem, New Hampshire. Their Woodland Terrace home was, unsurprisingly, right next to Rockingham Park. A once-aspiring jockey, Lew was always at home on the backside of a track. He shared his passion for horse racing with his family, much of which was driven by his extraordinary love and admiration for the horses themselves. Animals loved Lew, and Lew loved animals. His calm, gentle nature drew them to him without any coaxing. Whether hot-walking thoroughbreds, spoiling every dog he ever met, or feeding his fine-feathered friends, his connection to animals was undeniable.
Humble, dedicated, and willful, Lew modeled a tireless work ethic. He was a deeply loyal man, devoted to caring for those he loved. His commitment to Carol’s well-being was steadfast and unwavering, especially in her final years. That same love and devotion found new expression in his relationship with his nine grandchildren, who brought fresh purpose to his life. Later, his great-grandchildren filled him with joy and delight.
In time, he became known as “Sweet Lew,” a fitting name for someone whose quiet kindness and warmth only deepened with age. In his children he instilled a lasting understanding of what it means to be a family; a truth made unmistakably clear when he passed, surrounded by family and dear friends who kept vigil at his side for days.
Lew will be buried alongside Carol in a private ceremony. His family will hold a celebration of life later this fall, honoring Sweet Lew in the fashion he truly deserves. The celebration will be filled with song, laughter, and stories. Those who wish to join may sign up to receive more details here: Celebration of Life for Lewis W. Nagel.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New Hampshire SPCA, an organization that loves animals as much as Lew. Arrangements are in the care of the Carrier Family Funeral Home, Windham, NH. www.carrierfuneralhome.com.
Author: funeralcosts.com
https://obituaries.eagletribune.com/obituary/lewis-nagel-1093017981
