JENSEN BEACH, FLA. – Mancha Madison Clews died Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006, at his winter home in Jensen Beach, at the age of 91.
He was a descendant of first lady Dolly Madison, and grandson of Henry Clews, founder of the noted Wall Street Banking firm of Henry Clews & Co.
Born in France, the only son of American expatriate artists, Henry & Marie Clews, he grew up in the Chateau de La Napoule. He lived in Pennsylvania for a long time and spent the last ten years in Hanover.
He was a founding trustee of La Napoule Art Foundation, now a flourishing museum and art center in his former home on the French Riviera. Mr. Clews graduated from Cambridge University in England, and the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia.
As an electrical engineer, he played a key role in bringing Television to Rio de Janeiro in the 1950’s. Later, while building a U-Make-It kit boat with his young sons, he was inspired to establish a family boat business, which still thrives in Malvern, Pa., despite being miles from the water.
His company, Clews and Strawbridge became the first combination marine & Saab automobile dealership in the United States.
Mr. Clews is remembered as a devoted husband and kind and loving father. His sons cherish the day he let them skip school to help test out his new flying boat.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Margaret Strawbridge Clews; twin sons, Henry M. Clews of Hanover; and Christopher S. Clews of Portsmouth, N.H.; and a daughter, Sylvan Clews of Newport, R.I.; and seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to a hospice organization of choice; or to the American Friends Service Committee, 1501 Cherry St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19102.
No memorial service is planned at present. |
