George A. “Tony” Hewett, an attorney known for his work on U.S. Small Business Administration loans, died of cancer last month at the age of 66.
Hewett was an SBA-approved specialist, focusing on closing and servicing SBA loan transactions, including the 7(a) SBA guaranteed loan program. He worked for Boston-based Davis Malm Attorneys for 37 years, the law firm said in a statement, adding that he had extensive experience handling all phases of commercial lending transactions. A Hingham resident, Hewett died on June 7.
“Tony will be forever remembered for his passion for his work, clients, family and the firm,” Amy Fracassini, Davis Malm president, said in the statement. “He was an SBA authority throughout New England with a highly respected reputation in the banking industry, and he was an instrumental part of our firm.”
Approved as a designated closing attorney for SBA 504 loans, Hewett had previously worked in the SBA 504 Program for Economic Development and was a former member of the board of directors of New England Certified Development Corporation.
Born in Morristown, New Jersey, Hewett graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover, according to his obituary. He graduated from Bucknell University and Suffolk University Law School.
Hewett spent four years working in several roles in the Reagan administration, including as a special assistant to the secretary of Housing and Urban Development and as the vice president of mortgage finance and as the special assistant to the president of the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae). He then returned to Boston as an attorney advisor for the SBA.
Davis Malm said Hewett had an integral role in the firm’s community outreach initiatives, including leading the firm’s participation in the annual back-to-school and winter coat drives for the Bedford Veterans Hospital.
His family set up a GoFundMe page to raise $10,000 to make a donation in Hewett’s name to the Sarcoma Foundation of America and for gifts to pediatric cancer patients. The campaign has already raised more than $23,000.
Davis Malm said Hewett “beamed with pride when speaking about his colleagues, who had become friends and family over the years.
“He happily spoke about how Davis Malm provided him the independence to run his practice and service his clients as he needed to do so, and how the firm was ‘like no other,’” the statement said. “Tony’s impassioned speeches will forever echo in our hallways.”
