Lew A Hollinger

OBITUARY FOR LEW A. HOLLINGER JULY 20, 1941 – JANUARY 14, 2020

Lew A. Hollinger of Fairfield, Ohio passed on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at the Hospice Center of Hamilton to join his beloved son, Christopher Dale Hollinger and many family and friends who left this earth before him.

Lew was born in Dayton, Ohio to Lowell Hollinger and Wanda Stephens Hawk who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Dean Hawk, two sisters-in-law, Rosalie (Jay) Morris and Christy (Ronald) Puska and a great niece, Aubrey Trautman. He was saddened by the recent losses of his friends, Joseph De Angelo and Bill Boden. There has now been a great reunion in Heaven with his family and friends.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Marta Calabria Hollinger and the daughter he adored, Gina Ann Hollinger, formerly of Salt Lake City, Utah. Lew is also survived by his family from Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio. His treasured stepmother, Mary Hollinger Kring, two brothers Larry (Wanda) Hollinger, John Hollinger, his sister, Debra Kay Hollinger, aunt, Margaret Wells, nieces Maria (Steve) Keyes, Natalie Hollinger and other family and friends. He was close to and will be sadly missed by his wife’s sisters: Paulette Gansel, Noreen Cress, Marianne (Brian) Halcomb, Reinette Erin (Edward) Sopiarz, and lifelong friend, Lois Marxen Boden. There are countless loving nieces, nephews and extended family and friends who will mourn his loss.

Lew graduated from Fairfield High School in 1959 and has been a life member of the FHS Alumni Association. He received his Bachelor Degree from Ashland University in 1964 which began a 30 year teaching career at Fairfield High School. Lew completed his Master’s Degree at Xavier University in 1972. His role model was his coach, teacher, principal and dear friend, Dale E. Beckett.

Lew initiated the first Distributive Education (D.E.C.A.) Program and the first Occupational Work Experience (O.W.E.) Program at Fairfield High School. He was a mentor and role model to his students. They would often reach out after graduation to thank him for helping them remain in school. Lew implemented the first Student’s Against Drunk Driving (S.A.D.D.) Chapter at Fairfield High School. Lew has appeared before an Ohio State House Committee Hearing to request lowering the national alcohol level.

His volunteer efforts with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) began in 1982. Over the years, he held many positions. He had been the Ohio State Director of MADD for many years. Lew was involved in field issues and public policy initiatives. He was honored to serve on the National Board of MADD for two terms. He also lobbied on behalf of M.A.D.D. regarding driving drunk, alcohol levels and safety at the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.

In 2000, he was presented with both the Heart of MADD award from the state organization and the National MADD Difference Maker award. In 2001, he was the recipient of the Dorothy Taylor Leadership Award for exceptional dedication and leadership.

Lew proudly served as one of the Volunteer Firemen in Fairfield for many years. This led him to become a Licensed State of Ohio E.M.T. Instructor for local fire departments. He also became a Licensed Paramedic contracted to work part-time for the Fairfield Fire Department. Lew retired as a Captain in the Fairfield Fire Department. He was pleased to watch the growth of the city’s committed and respected fire department.

He also served for decades on the City of Fairfield’s Fair Housing Board, on the Fairfield Y.M.C.A. Board, has been an Honorary Deputy Sheriff of Butler County and on Ashland University’s Alumni Board.

Lew has been a member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Fairfield for over 53 years. He has served terms as Administrative Board Chairman, Trustees and was in the Education Department and taught Sunday School.

He has been a life-long member of the Masons of the Masonic Temple in Hamilton.

For numerous years, Lew has been the President of the Fairfield Fraternal Order of Police Associates (FOPA) with its many caring members to help and support the Fairfield Police Department and law enforcement officers. He was instrumental in reaching a goal to purchase a canine officer for the department.

Lew was one of the founders of the Investment Property Owner’s Association of Butler County (IPOA) and was recently given a Life-Time Service Award. He was very proud to be a Board Member of CRIMESTOPPERS of Greater Cincinnati and helped raise funds to pay for anonymous tips to arrest and jail those who have harmed others or broke laws. He was very proud when recently given a special acknowledgement award of his work with CRIMESTOPPERS.

Lew was a humble man who never wanted to work under the spotlight and gave credit to others instead of himself. Whenever help, guidance or leadership was requested or needed, Lew was a caring, giving and gentle man who was always stepped forward to help his city, county, surrounding communities and the State of Ohio. The majority of people will never know about his generous and civic nature because he preferred doing his work in the background.

In lieu of flowers, you can kindly donate in memory of Lew to any of the following: St. Mark’s U.M.C. Memorial Fund, 4601 Fairfield Ave., Fairfield, OH 45014, Fairfield F.O.P.A. #97, 5230 Pleasant Ave., Fairfield, OH 45014 or CRIMESTOPPERS of Greater Cincinnati, 310 Ezzard Charles Dr., PO Box 14330, Cincinnati, OH 45250.

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