Lewis Dilts Larason, Jr.

Lewis Dilts Larason, Jr., 91, died on August 8 from an aorta dissection. He was pain free and with his

family.

Lew is survived by his wife Patricia Guthrie, his daughter Cindy White, his two granddaughters Tara

(Mark Norris) and Sabrina (Einar Mathisen), his great grandson Malachi Yeager, his great granddaughter

Eveline Mathisen, his niece (second daughter) Laura Edinger, nieces Kim, Penny, and Tracey, nephews

John and Andrew, and his sister-in-law Jean

Born in Lambertville, NJ, Lew grew up on a small farm in New Hope, graduating from New Hope -

Solebury High School. Before his graduation, he had begun an apprenticeship with the late, world-

renowned woodworker/cabinetmaker George Nakashima that lasted from 1950 to 1953. Lew slowly

evolved from creating new furniture, while working for various local cabinetmakers, to repairing old

pieces. From 1966 to 1975, he was a full-time antiques dealer and furniture restorer in Lambertville.

In 1975, he moved to Chalfont, Pennsylvania to join Patti in their antiques business, while continuing his

antiques restoration.

In 1977, he achieved a lifelong dream of becoming a writer, doing his first article on antique baskets for

a regional antiques publication. He had been writing ever since, currently having two articles each

month about antiques for “The New York/Pennsylvania Collector” in New York state, and a food column

“Thoughts from an Epicure” for “The Bucks County Herald”. In fact, his last column was finished two

days before he died.

In 1978, he realized another long-held dream with the self-publication of THE BASKET COLLECTORS

BOOK, now in its third printing, for which he did all of the photography. That book was followed in 1992

by his second self-published book BUYING ANIQUE FURNITURE: An Advisory, that he wrote and

illustrated.

For decades, he and Patti participated in local antiques shows, as recently as this past June, and rent

space at the New Hope Antiques and Design Center, a co-op located between Lahaska and New Hope on

Rt 202.

In his “spare” time, he enjoyed gardening, cooking, wines, and travel, especially to nearly any beach

during the off season. In short, Lew lived a rich, long, and very full life, doing what he loved until the

very end.

A memorial celebration of his life is planned for September 28 from noon until 2:30 P.M. at 1720

Nostalgia, 136 East Butler Avenue, Chalfont, PA 18914 (www.1720Chalfont.com). Family and friends are

invited to share stories, laughter and tears. Light refreshments will be available.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Lew’s name to Doylestown Hospital or to the American

Heart Association.