It is with great sorrow that we mark the passing on Monday of our good friend, Lewis “Pete” Washington.

Pete was involved with Chester Eastside from our beginning – he often said CEI saved him from negative distractions. He loved this agency and his community and invested his time here.

As Assistant Manager of the Food Pantry, Pete worked six hours a week, helping to stock and label the shelves and set up and coordinate the distribution process. His booming voice was perfect for commanding everyone’s attention and his gentleness came through as he calmed the bustling activity associated with food distribution.

Pete attended college as a Music Major specializing in percussion and he often sang as he worked. He loved using his gift of drumming in worship services at the Salvation Army.

Prayer was important to Pete and he invited those, who wished to do so, to join him

each week. He always reminded the group that no one who came into the pantry was a stranger, but family! He was an important part of the Chester Eastside Inc. family and we will miss him dearly.