LEWIS, EDWARD ALFRED - May 17, 1927 - November 15, 2012 - While sorrow fills us as we say goodbye to a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, gratitude overwhelms us for having had the fortune to have been blessed with such a presence in our lives. Dad was born in Bridgend Wales to Edith and Lewis Lewis. Dad was the second oldest of four children, younger brother to Joan (deceased) and older brother to Louise (Marty deceased) and Margaret (Marcus). When Dad was 3, they immigrated to Canada settling in Pointe Saint Charles. This is where Dad spent most of his formative years and where he got his grit. It is also where he met and married Mom - a union that would last 59 years and produce seven children. These were the Depression years and times were such that he left school after grade 6 to start working. Dad was a carpenter by trade and spent all his professional life working for Richard & BA Ryan Ltd., achieving the position of VP of the Atlantic Division in New Brunswick. Dad and the family moved to Renforth in 1976 and fell in love with the Maritimes. Dad loved sports and spent many years coaching his kids during the 70’s in the town of Roxboro. He was actively involved with the Saint John Swim Club and was the manager of the New Brunswick Swim Team for the 1981 Canada Games. In his latter years he loved to watch his grandkids play sports offering advice and words of encouragement. Dad’s religion was his family. There was nothing Dad enjoyed more than to sit down and share a few beers or a glass of wine with his family. Dad was also a renaissance man as he was an avid gardener, cook, woodworker, and in his youth, a championship paddler. Eventually time catches up to everyone and Dad was no exception. During the latter years in Calgary, Dad slowed down and lost a little of the fight in him but always perked up when family dropped by. He could still enjoy the occasional beer or glass of wine and would still regale us with the occasional story, off-color joke or anecdote. In the end, Dad eventually succumbed to the body betrayal after fighting a litany of ailments that challenged him in his final years. We shall miss you, Dad. Thanks for everything and may your final journey put that swagger back in your step. You made us proud. Cheers! Dad is survived by Joy his wife; Tom (Karen), Red Deer; Dave (Carla), Calgary; Linda (Gary), Calgary; Jane (Kevin), Perth, Australia; Sue (Dana), Toronto; Jim (Kathy), Alfriston, UK; John (Fiona), Toronto; and numerous grandkids and great-grandkids.
In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the Children’s Wish Foundation.