Francis Emmanuel Hewitt, 83, of Callaway died Sept. 23, 2012, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown.

He was born Nov. 7, 1928, in Valley Lee to the late Irving Graves Hewitt and Edith Cecilia Combs Hewitt.

He was a lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County. He was a graduate of Little Flower School and Charlotte Hall Military Academy. He proudly served his country in the National Guard from 1949 to 1951. On Dec. 21, 1947, he met the love of his life while decorating Holy Face Church for Christmas. On April 20, 1950, he married his beloved wife, Mary Lillian Johnson Hewitt, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Leonardtown. Together, they celebrated 62 years of true love. He was co-owner of Hewitt Lumber & Supply Co. in Lexington Park and Callaway until retirement in 1993. He and his wife owned Joseph B. Payne & Associates, a personnel form business. He was a devoted, lifelong member of Holy Face Catholic Church, where he served on many committees through the years. He was also active in many clubs and organizations, including the Lions Club of Lexington Park, Knights of Columbus Council 265, Elks Club Council 2092, the Moose Lodge, Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative’s board of directors, the advisory board for Maryland National Bank and the St. Mary’s County Planning Commission. His hobbies included his many tractors, including the Kubota, Cub and Bolens; his collection of antique tools, collection of brass, gardening, politics and current events and card playing. He loved being with people, and was always kind and compassionate. However, his greatest love was his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Robert Irving Hewitt; grandson, Christopher Hewitt; brother, Preston Ignatius Hewitt; son-in-law, William Sterling Jr.; and brother-in-law, Paul Hampton.

He is survived by his wife; children, William Francis Hewitt of Callaway and Judith Victoria H. Sterling and her husband, Dr. Blair Wood, of Dameron; sisters, Mary Alma Hampton of Leonardtown and Joan Victoria Burroughs and her husband, Ben, of Mechanicsville; grandchildren, William Sterling III, Thomas Sterling, Christina Sterling, Scott Paul, Molly Ridgell, Amy Hewitt, Heather Elaine Hewitt and William Francis Hewitt II; great-grandchild, John Baylen Dean; and brothers-in-law, Joseph H. Johnson of Lexington Park and Leonard Eugene Johnson and his wife, Cathy, of Arnold.

Family received friends for a celebration of life Sept. 26 at Holy Face Catholic Church in Great Mills.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Sept. 27 at Holy Face Catholic Church.

Interment followed.

Pallbearers were his grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Little Flower School, 20410 Point Lookout Road, Great Mills, MD 20634; or to Second District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1, Valley Lee, MD 20692.

Arrangements were provided by Brinsfield Funeral Home in Leonardtown.