Lew Edson, Santa's Christmas Tree Farm Owner, Dies at 72

Editor's Note: Information provided by DeFreist-Gratten Funeral Homes.

Lewis L. Edson of Cutchogue died on June 20, 2013 surrounded by his loved ones. He was 72 years old. 

He was born in New York City on Jan. 17, 1941 to Lefferts P. and Grace (nee Riley) Edson and attended Southold High School and Syracuse University. 

Lew served in the United States Marine Corps and for the past twenty-five years has owned and operated Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm with his family. Prior to that, he ran First Towne Realty for thirty years. 

He was a member of NYCTGA (NY State Christmas Tree Growers Association) and the North Fork Country Club. 

Left to mourn his passing is his wife Sheila McCarthy-Edson whom he married on May 24, 2013; three children: Lisa Christine Edson, Evans Munro Edson and Channing Virginia Edso and five grandchildren: Hawke Edson, Sloane Edson, Oliver Edson, Grayson Harrinan and Liv Harrinan. 

The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 23rd from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes, Inc., 13805 Main Road (NYS Route 25), Mattituck.

Graveside services, with US Marine Corps honors, will be held on Monday, June 24th at 1:00 p.m. at the Cutchogue Cemetery, 30472 Main Road (NYS Route 25) Cutchogue, New York 11935. Reverend Richard Boyer of the First Presbyterian Church in Southampton will officiate. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Island Life of Life Foundation, P.O. Box 532, Shelter Island Heights, New York 11965 would be appreciated. The Island Gift of Life Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides a wide range of services to the people on the East End who are struggling both financially and emotionally with serious illnesses