Myer "Jerry" Lewis died Oct. 15 at a senior retirement center in Los Gatos. He was 104.

Born in London, England, in 1899, he lived a varied life as the son of a British Army man. The family moved from England to South Africa and Malta, before immigrating to Canada in 1910. At the age of 19, Lewis enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He served most of his tour in England, driving Kelly trucks and performing clerical duties until his discharge in 1919.

Following the war, Lewis worked as a clerk in several government departments. In 1924 he immigrated to the United States and in 1932 became a citizen, working as a bond, stock and life insurance salesman for Metropolitan Life in Chicago.

He married his wife, Emily, in 1933, and was married to her for 64 years, until her death in 1996.

During World War II, Lewis joined the U.S. Navy and served with the Fleet Air Wing 7 in England, where his unit was involved in antisubmarine patrols. After the war, Lewis joined the U.S. Naval Reserve, retiring in 1965 as an Aviation Storekeeper First Class. He retired from Metropolitan Life that same year.

After retirement he and his wife moved to Florida, where they remained until her death. Lewis then moved to California to be with his family. He is survived by six nieces and nephews, including the Bob Lewis automotive family.

Donations in his name may be made to the Los Gatos United Methodist Church, 111 Church St., Los Gatos, 95030.


Ruddell

Nikolas John Ruddell died suddenly from accidental drowning in July on the Queen Charlotte Islands of City Harbor in British Columbia, Canada. He was 40.

Although born in Ottawa, Canada, Ruddell grew up in Los Gatos, attending Van Meter Elementary, Fisher Middle School, and the now defunct Mark Twain High School. He lived in Los Gatos until 1986, when he moved back to Canada.

He is survived by son Timothy Ruddell of B.C., Canada, daughter Breann Ruddell Pearson of Skidegate, B.C., longtime companion Sandra Pearson of Skidegate, B.C., and parents Adrian and Joan Ruddell of West Vancouver, B.C.

Donations in his name may be made to the Sempervirens Fund, Drawer BE, Los Altos, 94023-4054.


Goddard

Wesley Rawdon Goddard died Sept. 25. He was 88.

Born on July 29, 1915, in St. Louis, Mo., Goddard moved with his family at a young age to Los Gatos. He was a 1933 graduate of Los Gatos High School and went on to obtain a degree from Swarthmore College, a master's from UC-Berkeley, and his Ph.D. from the Sorbonne in Paris.

He joined the faculty at San José State University in 1939, where he taught English and French, and was the director of the European study program until 1977, when he retired.

Goddard was also involved with the Alliance Francaise theater group and president of the Santa Clara Valley Verdi Festival.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley, sons David and Christopher and daughter Ghislaine La Porta.