Where We Stand: Lewelling always cared for community
It would be difficult to imagine a man more full of life than Cecil Lewelling.
Which is why it was so sad and difficult to believe when we found out he had died Sunday.
Lewelling moved to the Stoney Point area in 1987 and ingrained himself in this community. He was the kind of neighbor we all wish we had. He kept a vigilant eye out for anyone or anything suspicious. He played ball with the children, made sure they got on and off the school bus safely.
He started the Stoney Point Neighborhood Watch group in 1998, an effort that was so successful that Lewelling was often asked to attend organizational meetings in other neighborhoods to give encouragement and advice.
In 2002, Lewelling discovered that four streets in the neighborhood were badly in need of repair.
The streets, however, were not part of the state system and residents were responsible for their maintenance. And the state would not accept the streets into its system until the repairs were made.
Lewelling paid for the repairs out of his own pocket.
In December 2002, the roads were accepted into the state system. Three years later, the Stoney Point Neighborhood Watch group was able to pay Lewelling back.
For the street repairs, that is.
For other things, well, some people aren't worried about payback.
Lewelling, for instance, loved nothing better than seeing to it that children had the chance to enjoy sports. Last year, at his former home in Taneytown, Md., he received an honor that thrilled him.
In 1969, he and Lee Berry helped start the Francis Scott Key Junior Eagles football and cheerleading program. When the team celebrated its 40th anniversary, the town named the field in honor of Lewelling and Berry.
A way of saying thank you.
But, really, for having a heart of gold and looking out for others ... Lewelling never expected a penny in return.