Staff members of Knowlton & Hewins and Roberts Funeral Homes are caring and experienced professionals who understand that each family is unique and has personal requests and traditions. These requests and traditions are of utmost importance to our staff of licensed funeral directors.



Thomas C. "Tommy" Newhall

Funeral Director, Staff Tactician

Tommy joined the team of caring professionals at Family First Funeral Homes in Winthrop, Augusta, Gardiner, and Brunswick in March of 2020. He has been a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer since 1993 and has had more than 25 years of funeral service experience. He graduated from New England Institute at Mount Ida College. During the span of Tommy’s funeral service career, he has managed several funeral homes and owned and operated his own in Massachusetts.

Tommy is passionate about helping and supporting families create a memorable celebration honoring the life of their loved one. He is devoted most to helping all who may need it during this difficult process.

In addition to the families he supports, Tommy also holds in high esteem the greater communities in which they come from. Through volunteering and holding days of appreciation, he recognizes and honors the work put forth by Police, Fire, and Rescue as well as other public safety providers that keep us safe. Additionally, Tommy holds a special place in his heart for the men and women serving, and those who have served, courageously and faithfully.

Tommy’s top priorities are to make families feel well cared for and to ensure all wishes and details for their loved ones are carried out with the utmost dignity and respect.

Outside of work, Tommy enjoys participating in various local organizations. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus Abnaki Council 334, the Augusta Elks, and the Maranacook Lake Association. He resides in Brunswick, Maine with his wife Robin. They have three grown daughters who also reside in Maine. Tommy loves the mountains, lakes, rivers, and the seaside of Maine. He is an avid hiker, kayaker, and fisherman. He loves the local music scene, enjoys cooking and feeding everyone, and is a loyal fan of the Boston Red Sox.

“People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou



Lynn Roberts Reed

Licensed Funeral Director (In Memoriam)

Lynn Roberts Reed dedicated her life to compassionate service and community care. A sixth-generation funeral director, she was co-owner and President of Knowlton Hewins Roberts Funeral Homes and Cremation Service until 2018. Lynn graduated from Winthrop High School in 1978, earned her business degree from the University of Maine at Augusta in 1984, and later completed her funeral service education at FINE Mortuary School in 2007.

Known for her warmth, kindness, and adventurous spirit, Lynn was a guiding presence for the families she served. She was a certified Bereavement Facilitator and offered grief support for children and families, often collaborating with local schools and community groups to provide education and healing.

Outside of her professional work, Lynn lived life to the fullest—enjoying the outdoors, snowmobiling with the Towanda group, spending time at camp in Northeast Carry, and above all, cherishing time with her husband Steve, their children, and grandchildren.

Though she passed away in 2025, Lynn’s legacy continues through the lives she touched, the families she cared for, and the strong community ties she helped build. She remains a beloved part of our funeral home’s history and heart.


Leon C. Roberts

licensed funeral director

Leon graduated from Winthrop High School in 1981, Arizona State University in 1985, and Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Atlanta in 1997. He was Co-owner and Vice-President of Knowlton Hewins Roberts Funeral Homes and Cremation Service until 2018. He is a member of the Maine Funeral Directors Association. Leon and his sister, Lynn, are the sixth generation in the family funeral service.


Hugh H. LeMaster

licensed funeral director

Hugh H. LeMaster is a 1978 graduate of Monmouth Academy and a 1989 Magna Cum Laude graduate of The New England Institute of Applied Arts and Science where he received an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science. Hugh is a Licensed Funeral Director and has been a member of the Knowlton Hewins Roberts Staff since 2005. He is a member of the Maine Funeral Directors Assoc. and a member of the board of directors of the Maine Cemetery Association, a Capt. with the Monmouth Fire Dept. where he has served for over 35 years, and president of the Monmouth cemetery association along with many other community involvements. Hugh's activities include, fishing, snowmobiling, and ATV riding.

Hugh and his wife Doris (Boisvert) LeMaster reside in Monmouth on the old LeMaster 1790's ancestral farm. They have a son, U.S. Marine SSGT Joseph R.P. LeMaster and a grandson, Joseph C.H.LeMaster

Robin Newhall

Licensed Funeral Attendant

Robin is a retired Public School Teacher who has worked for Family First for one year. She enjoys helping families and supporting them through their time of grief. When at home, she enjoys reading, learning about history, gardening, kayaking, hiking , spending time with her daughters and her little dog Pixie.


Rilee K. Newhall

Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer

Rilee graduated college from Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service and has been a Licensed Funeral Director since December of 2022. She has been involved in Funeral Service since she was just a little girl and was part of her family owned and operated Funeral Home in Massachusetts.

Rilee used to love going to work with her dad, Tommy Newhall, at the “Fruit Roll Home.” Ever since she was young, she showed interest in helping and caring for families that had lost a loved one.

Rilee currently resides in Winthrop and loves serving families in the Augusta & Winthrop community. Outside of work, she enjoys being outdoors with her 4-legged sidekick, “Winnie,” and going to the gym, as well as spending time with family.

“Helping one person might not change the world, but it could change the world for one person.” -Anonymous


Robin DesJardins

Office Manager

Robin joined the team of Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home in August 2013. She has been in Office Management for over 30 years. She loves being compassionate with families at the most difficult times, and it is an honor to help with their grieving process.

Robin lives on Maranacook Lake in Readfield with her husband Ed and their Golden Retriever, Ben. She enjoys the outdoors and everything the lake has to offer, including swimming, boating, fishing, and ice skating in the winter.

"There is always light. If only we were brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it." — Amanda Gorman


Jeffrey Gleason

Licensed Funeral Attendant


Ralph Butts

Maintenance / Grounds

Austin Truddell Lewis

Licensed Practitioner trainee/apprentice

Austin is a Maine native who grew up in the small fishing town of Phippsburg, home of Popham beach and state park. It was there he developed a love for people and community. Austin attended Morse High School and graduated in 2014 and was called Upon to give the commencement speech for his graduating class. Austin’s first job after High School was in Funeral service, working part time for another Funeral Establishment. He developed a deep passion for funeral service and also felt a call to Gospel Ministry. He was accepted into Bible Institute and received a certification in Church leadership from Evangelical Training Association and was awarded a diploma in Biblical studies where he then became a licensed Minister who took the position of youth pastor at the church he was a faithful member of. Austin is thrilled to be part of Family First Funeral Homes and cremation care. He is based out of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home in Augusta as a licensed practitioner trainee/Apprentice. He is currently studying at Cape Cod Community College working towards his degree in Mortuary Science. Austin has a heart for helping others and is dedicated to serve the community in their time of need with grace and professionalism. Aside from his career, Austin is a deep lover of Music and the Piano, performing often for various events, functions and venues.

“Life is eternal; and love is immortal; and death is only a horizon; and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.”

-Rossiter Worthington Raymond