FROM THE MAYOR’S OFFICE: Through a Lens Clearly

Through a Lens Clearly

John Lewis Stage

1925 – 2021

This past Saturday, family and friends gathered at the Mulder Chapel at the Warwick Conference Center to celebrate the life of a Warwick Son and caring advocate, John Lewis Stage. A perfect setting on a crisp fall day. From the large windows of the chapel the Valley stretches below, a patchwork of open fields with Mt. Adam and Eve in the distance. This was the Warwick John loved, not only because he was a native but because he understood the importance of land use, agriculture, and preservation. He also saw it differently than most – he saw through the eye of his camera. John left our Valley at an early age to fight in WWII and returned as a decorated soldier. Intrigued with picture taking from youth, he received formal training in photography through the GI Bill.

John’s career as a photojournalist spanned a lifetime as he circled the world to photograph for major magazines: Life, Holiday, Town and Country, to name a few. Though even after seeing the globe, he came back to the Warwick Valley. He and his wife purchased a beautiful home, part of an old mill complex on Iron Mt. Road in the hamlet of New Milford. In my youth I remember the house and its color – Kodak yellow! John had a love for bright, intense color. I also remember the grounds that had an unusual sculpture – a giant spider made from repurposed farm equipment dangling from an ancient tree next to the house. It was clear that a new vision had arrived!

I also remember with wide eyed wonderment, when I worked at my dad’s pharmacy, Akin’s, the man who would come in with large bags of film rolls to be processed. Those were my first memories of John and later as an adult, when I came back to this Valley too, that I got to know him as a mentor and friend.

When John moved into the Village, he purchased the ‘Devonshire’ one of the cottages designed by former Village President, Clinton Wheeler Wisner, which he lovingly restored. John was a major help, if not catalyst, during my initial bid for Mayor. His wisdom, guidance, helped develop a positive and winning campaign.

John worked on so many initiatives that are the foundation of the Warwick we see today. His love of place and sense of preservation were a driving force – whether advocating for the protection of farmland, the creation of a Historic District or Transfer Tax. John’s curiosity about life and people were what kept him youthful and engaged. The glint in his eye, the desire to know something new, his openness and sometimes his stubbornness were all the components of this remarkable man.

Through his lens John captured the essence of life. It was with this visual language he understood the power, sanctity and flaws of humanity and maybe himself. Like so many, I will miss John but I’m grateful for having known him and am inspired by his devotion to this place on earth that we share.