Dr. John Francis Lewis
June 16, 1932 to December 13, 2025
Obituary
For those unable to attend the mass for the Late Dr. John Lewis may view it at its schedule time by clicking on the following: St. Teresa’s
With heavy hearts, we share the sad news that Dr. John Francis Lewis took his last breath just after sunrise on December 13th, 2025. He died peacefully in his family home after a short illness. Beloved by his family and friends, he was predeceased by his wife and life-partner, Noreen (Murphy), his sisters Elizabeth Heneghan, Anne Conway, and Patricia Glover, nephews Timothy and Chris Sullivan, Chris Abbot, Matthew Glover, brother-in-law Ray Murphy, and sister-in-law Rosemary Johnson. He leaves to mourn his children Philip, Peter (Tracey Shave), John (Madeleine LeBlanc), Mary, Stephen, and Leah; his grandchildren Marika, Patrick, Liam, Everett, Sarah, Anais, Ella Ray, Elsa and Felix; his siblings Philip (Elizabeth) and Joan Sullivan; his in-laws Sheila Abbott, Brenda Turner, Sylvia (Joan) Murphy, Tom Murphy, Kevin (Bob) Murphy, Patricia Collette, and a wide circle of family, friends and colleagues. A special nod to his life-long friend and best man Noel Hutton, Andrew (Chief Petty Officer) Hutton, and nephews Paul (the Bo’swain) and Paddy Heneghan.
Born in St. John’s on June 16th, 1932, John spent his childhood summers at his father’s family home in Holyrood, where his enduring love of the outdoors was born. He retained lifelong memories of squid fishing in Holyrood Bay, and exploring the back country, learning fly-fishing on the rivers and caribou hunting from his old friends and mentors, Mr. Billy Curran, Mr. Jack Carroll and Mr. Michael Dunphy. His love of Newfoundland countryside was deeply lived. He skied the entire length of the island over the course of his life, fished many of its rivers, hunted its barrens, and always kept a woods camp deep within the Salmonier wilderness area (“God’s Pocket”) that could be reached by ski in the winter, and canoe in summer. He survived many close calls including falling through the ice and being lost in the winter wilderness for days without supplies. John was a religious man, attending church faithfully his whole life, but his deepest prayer was manifested in a lifelong practice of seeking peace and meditation in the wilderness, always leaving the smallest footprint.
A Rhodes scholar, John graduated from medical school in Oxford. With Dr. John Ross, he was among the founding members of Memorial University’s Division of Family Medicine, a benchmark in Canada. His commitment to rural medical training fostered lasting relationships with many residents, including Dr Roger Butler, who cared for him in his final years. He helped establish the Palliative Care program at St. Clare’s Hospital, and at the behest of Father Shea who sought to address the issues of poverty in Shea Heights, he designed and founded the original Shea Heights Medical Clinic which was a flagship community clinic. John sought to be of service in all facets of his life, both personal and professional. In his early career, in partnership with Noreen and with three small children in tow, he relocated to Uganda, working in village hospitals while Noreen volunteered in local schools. They had two more children there before returning to Newfoundland. Once their 6 children had grown, they returned frequently to East Africa, working in rural communities throughout the region – making new friends and discoveries. In 2009, he was awarded the Order of Canada in recognition of his services.
Gifted with a curious mind, he was a lifelong student, whiling away hours poring over books of poetry or biography, or (his favorite!) the World Atlas. He possessed a deep knowledge of world history, geography, current affairs, languages (including Swahili), and much more. He had a discerning and intense passion for song and poetry (the rhyming verse type) and loved to recite and sing. He had a soft spot for Irish rebel songs, and a near reverence for the poetry of E J Pratt, Robert Service, Thomas Macaulay, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Robbie Burns and Ted Russell, and he would perform them with gusto.
Dad loved time spent with family and friends. Always a gracious host, his typical greeting to all was ‘will you have a drink?’ and the only answer was yes. He hosted with humour and wit, insisting on seeing off guests from the outside steps, impervious to the weather, a habit he retained as long as he was able.
After retiring from Memorial, in addition to the years spent in Africa, John worked locums in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. Noreen was always an enthusiastic partner, offering her services in local schools wherever their adventures took them. He wasted no time finding kindred spirits – mostly woodsmen who also loved the outdoors. These friendships endured to the end. Special mention to Larry and Bev Ploughman from Port Saunders.
When John lost Noreen two years ago, the predictions were that he would follow soon after. But he continued to live fearlessly, cherishing each day and interaction, sharing poems or songs whenever asked. His final summers were spent in Holyrood, monitoring activity on the bay and at the bird feeder. Although he suffered from memory loss in his last years, he continued to elevate our days with fascinating facts of the world, performing songs and exquisite verse to the very end. He shone a powerful light and will be sorely missed.
The family extends a special thank you to our devoted care-giving team especially Erica Hann, Andrew Humber, Obed Effah, Nurse Erin Nugent, Dr. Bruce Doulton and Dr. Roger Butler.
Cremation has taken place.
Visitation will take place at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Rd. from 6-9 p.m. on Saturday, December 20th and from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, December 21st.
Memorial Reflections with family and friends will be offered at Carnell’s, Visitation Room 1, at 3pm on Sunday, December 21rst.
Formal Funeral Service will be held on Monday, December 22nd, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. from St. Teresa’s Church, Mundy Pond Rd.
Schedule
Visitations
6-9 p.m. on December 20, 2025
2-5 p.m. on December 21, 2025
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
View on Map
funeral
11:00am, Monday December 22nd
St. Teresa's Parish
120 Mundy Pond Rd, St. John's
I liked him as my doctor, as a family friend and as an occasional skiing buddy. I think he squeezed a lot of good out of life.
Brenda, and family,
So sad to hear the news of your brothers passing.
Please accept my condolences to you and all of the family.
Heartfelt condolences to the Lewis family on the loss of such an extraordinary human being. John was our first physician shortly after moving to St. John’s in 1970. His genuine caring was immediately obvious and sincere when my brand new husband was very ill, so much so that John’s manner brought tears to my eyes. He and John Ross took excellent care of us and our growing family. As one of his grandchildren said today during the eulogies, his piercing blue eyes could bore into your soul. He was the first physician I encountered who openly said he wasn’t sure about a diagnosis and would pull a medical book from a shelf to look things up in front of his patients. Such honesty and lack of ego! My third child was born at home and he and a very competent midwife spent the night with me while I laboured. After the birth, John thanked me for letting him participate in a totally natural birth – a new experience for him despite 500 deliveries under his belt! We were privileged to have him as a familly physician together with his invaluable partner John Ross. The world was a better place for having John in so many capacities, but none more important than husband, father grandfather, brother and uncle.
What a legacy, and what an inspiration and example of a life well lived.
We remember his encouragement about rural doctoring when we came to Norris Point years ago;. The support John and Noreen offered my Malawian Canada World Youth participants is also warmly remembered and appreciated. They were life savers a number of times !
To Phillip, Mary, and all the Lewis family we offer our condolences and send our very best.
I have such fond memories of Dr John visiting my parents in Holyrood. He was more than kind to our family. Sincere condolences.
That was a lovely service today. I’ve met Dr. Lewis but could not claim to know him. Mary said in her beautiful, eloquent tribute that it was impossible to sum him up in a few words, but she certainly drew a vivid and multifaceted portrait. He has done so much to enrich his profession, his community, and the lives of his family. You are all in my thoughts.
Stephen, I apologize, I missed your name in my condolence message. 😢
Hope you’re all well.
Phillip, Peter, Mary, Steve, John, Leah, sorry for your loss. Wow. Many years of our families intermingling from childhood to present day. Your dad has left an amazing legacy in you. Be proud.
Dear Philip, Peter, John, Mary, Stephen, Leah, Phil and Joan.
John, like Noreen, was a special person and I know you are going to miss his presence as your father and brother very deeply.
I had hoped to see all of you in person to express my condolences to you. Unfortunately that can’t happen.
You will have a lifetime of special memories to relish, not the least of which will be that of John dying peacefully in his bed in the family home.
Such a blessing.
My condolences to all the family.
Lorraine Michael
Uncle John (Dr. John Lewis) played a meaningful role in my life, even if I hadn’t seen him in recent years.
When I look back on my youth, some of my fondest memories involve the Lewis family – especially our salmon fishing adventures. I still laugh thinking about the time I spent (what seemed like half a day) wrestling a “monster salmon” at the 12-mile pool…only to discover my hook was caught on a rock in the middle of the river. Uncle John sat on the bank nearby, pipe in hand, thoroughly entertained by my heroic efforts and determination..
The next year, when I finally did land my first “real salmon”, there he was again watching from the banks above, calmly smoking his pipe, as if he’d known all along I’d get one eventually. Those moments have stayed with me, and they still bring a smile whenever I think of him.
Uncle John will be deeply missed but remembered with affection, gratitude, and more than a few smiles.
My heartfelt condolences to the entire Lewis family.
To Philip, Peter, John, Mary, Stephen, and Leah
My heartfelt sympathies on your sad loss. Your dad was a wonderful man, dedicated to life and all those he lived it with. I’m grateful for the times your family shared with ours growing up, and have rich memories from those days: simple gatherings, everyday adventures and quite exciting outings. Dr. Lewis knew deeply the power nature has to enrich and to heal, and I’m thankful that he shared that so viscerally with us – it’s a lasting legacy. So glad you have each other to ease your grief. I’ll remember your dad today with a walk in the woods. May he rest easy
Many a time Dr Lewis would phone requesting permission to park a vehicle on our Salmonier Line family property before venturing into the Avalon Wilderness Area on an expedition. Not needed but he did it anyway. He was a good friend to my uncle Clarie, a woodsman in his own right, who spent most of his time traversing the same area from our cabin. Years after Clarie passed but not long ago, my buddies and I after a round of golf, were relaxing outside the cabin when a dog appeared out of the woods. We enjoyed his company for about a half hour before Dr Lewis and a companion appeared. He clearly made an impression on my buddies and was offered a beverage. He thanked us but declined indicating they had already had one at a cabin after crossing the Salmonier River a mile back. A small footprint but a large impression on anyone he met. Rest in peace good doctor. My condolences to the Lewis family and friends.
Philip, Peter, John, Mary and Leah.
I was very sorry to hear of your father’s passing. So many memories of Long Harbour, Horsechops, the garden in Torbay etc., with John, Noreen and all of you.
Hoping your memories keep your grief at bay.
My thoughts are with all of you at this difficult time.
Oh I’m sorry to hear of Dr. Lewis’s passing
So sorry to hear of Dr. Lewis’s passing. He was very important part of life and my family. He used to hunt with my Dad, Ian Gunn and had a big part in my son’s lives. He will be missed greatly. My condolences to you all.
We knew John as an outdoors man and a fellow back-country skier. We skied together to “God’s Pocket”, and Aphrodite and I stayed at his lean-too: he recited poems in Greek over a campfire and proudly cooked us a meal using his Chinese kerosene stove with cotton wicks he got from Shanghai. His cooking pot was a used tin can with wire attached to the rim. Aphrodite was a bit hesitant to use his latrine which consisted of just triangular frame, made out of branches against a tree in plain sight from the front of the lean-too.
Steve and I returned to the camp last summer and we attempted to fix the tarp, and some fallen tree trunks. But I failed to resurrect the kerosene stove because it was just too damp for not having been used for years.
I vividly recalled our last two times meeting with John last year (2024): the first was over dinner at Mary’s home, and Steve cooked us paste with cod. Before dinner, we compared ski adventures: his “first ski crossing of Newfoundland” and my ski across Labrador. We traded stories from our Oxford days: John at Balliol and I at Oriel, but at different times. Aphrodite also reminded John about his latrine, and we all had a big laugh. Steve managed to find the ski that John used for the trip with a brass plate nailed onto it with names of places he crossed during that trip.
When Steve told me dinner was ready, John disappeared for about 10 minutes while we were seated at the table. He went to the basement to split wood for his fireplace. The second and the last time was seeing him again at an opening at Peter’s gallery. John was right at the entrance greeting all the visitors.
We will remember John every time skiing in the wilderness, splitting a log and making a meal over a kerosene, or more likely a white-gas, stove. Perhaps, Steve and I will have a chance to resurrect his camp at God’s Pocket in memory of one of his many legacies.
Siu O’Young and Aphrodite Indares
To all the Lewis family, so sorry to hear about your Dad.
My Dad was a colleague of your Dad at the Medical School and also was our family Doctor, I remember how kind he was especially when I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.. I have fond memories of him as a Doctor and as a friend to my parents.
What a Renaissance man he was with all his interests, providing medical services in Africa, and living a life of community service.
My condolences to you all.
Please take care
My sincere condolences to all of the Lewis families. Dr. John’s obituary certainly captures a life well lived. He gave so much of himself caring for others both here and in Africa. His time on the rivers & in the woods will be remembered by so many.
Every time I saw him he would say and which one of the Dunphy’s are you? He loved spending time in Holyrood & told me lots of stories about the Dunphy’s. You have now been relieved from your duties & reunited with your beloved Noreen.
RIP
Barbara Dunphy
The Lewis Family: please accept my sincerest sympathy on the passing of Dr. John. I had the privilege of working with both Dr. John and Noreen at the SVDP Food Bank and I marvelled at their energy, compassion, and dedication. It is difficult to speak of one without the other as they both lived a life of service and are/were the epitome of what of it means to be a decent human being. They left you an amazing legacy. Celebrate that. Blessings to all.
To the Lewis Family: our sincere condolences on the passing of Dr. John, as he was affectionately known. The Besso and Maloney families of Holyrood were long-time friends of the Lewis family, going back to John’s father’s time(that wasn’t yesterday). Thinking of you all as you grieve your loss, but also as you celebrate a life well-lived. And what a truly remarkable life he had.
Dear Mary
Thank you for your email about your father, John. I am deeply grateful that you have reached out to me.
Of course, I was saddened to learn that another of my life-long friends had died. But knowing the wonderful person John was/is I am confident that he is now enjoying a joyous life beyond our imaginations.
I met John in Oxford in 1954. Each of us had been chosen as a Rhodes Scholar and we each were accepted into Balliol College. I am Catholic as John was and we had that extra link – we often met each other after Sunday Mass at the Chaplaincy.
We had two other close friends at Balliol – Geoff Bolton from Perth, Western Australia and Colin Imray, an Englishman who had recently completed Military service.
It was a delightful group of friends. Though we were pursuing very different studies – John in Medicine, Geoff in History, Colin in Politics Philosophy and Economics and myself in Engineering Science, we had many interests in common and, especially, similar values. Our times together over coffee after dinner in the College or over beers at one of the delightful pubs in Oxford were rich and enjoyable.
John played as Goal-keeper for the Oxford Ice Hockey team and I recall watching the game against Cambridge – the speed of the game amazed me. As goalie John wore very wide leg pads and we called him “Legs Lewis” afterwards.
I have a clear memory of when Noreen came to Oxford – I don’t recall how long she stayed (In those days Rhodes Scholars could not marry – they lost the Scholarship if they did). I was struck by Noreen’s radiant beauty. Soon after her arrival, the three of us were walking through the town after Sunday Mass when I noticed that John was looking at the young women we passed. When I suggested that he had much more to look at in Noreen he replied that he was “just window shopping”.
After we each returned to home base from Oxford, we kept in contact mainly through Christmas messages. I always enjoyed John’s letter where he sketched out the links to all of his extended family in his “family gram”. I nurtured the hope that I would be able to visit Newfoundland but such was not to be. About ten years ago when I was visiting Colin Imray in England, we were able to have a three-way phone chat with John – a memory I treasure.
I have been aware in recent years that John’s health was declining but I had not known of Noreen’s dying. For some time now, I have included John in my daily prayers for friends who are ill. Strangely, during the past week or so, I had a vague feeling things had changed for John. Now I believe that he is praying for us.
You have shown great love, Mary, in caring for Noreen and John in their final years. You need to take care of yourself now. I have noted the time for John’s funeral mass – it will be about midnight on 22nd here. I will remember John and yourself that evening.
With warm regards
Colin Apelt
I have replied to your email here because your email server continues to reject my message as spam.
Will dearly miss Uncle John’ s warm greeting. of Auntie Sheila or Auntie Brenda.., watching him so effortlessly starting a fire in the fireplace with the splits he had
chopped himself in the basement. He would say. “ what is a house without a fire.” He wanted to make it cozy for our visits. Of course always asking “Would you like a little drink?
We loved his entertaining over the years with songs and poetry. Stephen you will have to be the split man now!!!
O such beautiful memories were made in the welcoming home on Bonaventure . We loved Uncle John and will miss him., just as we miss my sister Noreen.
Dr.Lewis was our family doctor for many years.I remember fondly our deep life’s discussions many years ago.He was a special human being .Deepest condolences to all the family.Kindest regards Eric Carter Clarenville.
I had the privilege of knowing Dr Lewis as a family medicine resident in the late 1970s. He was a wonderful role model and mentor. He had a tremendous influence on the development of family medicine in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Sincere condolences to family and friends
My deepest condolences to his family and friends on the loss of Dr. Lewis. I often seen him at church with his wife. I didn’t really know him but I did meet him at St. Clare’s one time, I went in with a speck of that in my eye. He was on duty that day, when he came in he asked why I was there so I told him. He told me to lay down on the bed he then got a needle that looked so long. I asked him what the needle was for he said he was going to pick the speck of rust of my eyeball. He told me to lay still and not to move, I told him he had no worry about me moving as long as he had that long needle just inches from my eye with that he laughed and completed the procedure with me rust free. Thank you Dr. Lewis for your years of service I hope you are resting easy. God Bless.
What a wonderful man! I had the privilege of being at Dept of Family Practice in the early 80’s with the two Johns. Can remember Dr Lewis’s enthusiastic arm twisting of Andrew Hutton to sing Willie McBride at the resident’s retreat and how important he felt about such things as family docs doing everything including obstetrics. Condolences to the family.
Philip and famil:y.: my condolences on the recent passing of your Dad. A man who very much had a life well lived. May all the memories of your Dad bring you comfort.
The headwaters of the Salmonier River will never be the same! Rest in peace my fishing and hunting friend. Condolences to the family..
John Lewis was my doctor, friend and neighbour. I remember a hike into his tent on Salmonier Line and spending the night in his tent
and sipping lots of rum. John and four other friends and myself spent a couple of weeks in Hebron Fijord char fishing and exploring in 1982. He will be missed.
Our sincere condolences go out to all of Dr. John’s family. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
Mary and the Lewis family,
I’m so sorry to hear the sad news of your father’s passing. My thoughts are with you all.
Peter, John and the rest of the Lewis family, my condolences on the passing on your father and family member.
Shannon Keough
I remember Dr. Lewis from many years ago at the Grace outpatient dept. He was a kind and patient man.. My memory is of him standing holding his medical bag and his coat collar up. When I pass the statue of Grenfell at the Confederation Bld., Dr. Lewis always comes to mind. My condolences to your family. Sandra Nightingale.
To the Lewis family. Deepest condolences on the loss of a remarkable man. I sure he will be visiting ( Gods Pocket ).
Dennis Butler
Marmac Lodge, Salmonier River
Rest in Peace Dr. Lewis. I remember you from your Locums at Placentia Health Center. I was a student and Friend of your Sister Patricia. Also a Friend of Phil.. Thoughts and Prayers are with your Family and Friends. God bless
Dr. Lewis was an amazing man. He lived life to the fullest professionally, in nature and with family and friends. He will be dearly missed. We send our sincere condolences.
An amazing man who made a mark on this world and whose legacy includes an amazing family. Rest in peace. My sympathies to the family.
So many great memories with Uncle John!! So lucky to be his niece, or small daughter as he used to say. A great memory I have is him waking me in the middle of the night up when visiting him and Aunt Noreen in Rwanda to see the Southern Cross.
Philip, Peter, John, Mary, Stephen, Leah,
My sincere condolences. Your father was a man to admire, accomplished and a lover of life, nature, family and community. You were blessed with wonderful parents. I will remember them as a dignified couple who had a long and adventurous life together. Cherish your memories.
Sorry to hear that Dr John had passed away leaving an amazing legacy – a life well lived for sure.
May he in peace.💐💐💐
Helen Bennett Brennan
(Formerly Holyrood)
I was a neighbourhood kid and a classmate of John Junoir. I was welcomed , learned to swim with Lewis family children at the Southcott Hall swimming pool. Loved the African art on the walls of thier home and learned how to build a log cabin. He was a generous man, an inspiration and had a beautiful family.
Philip, my condolences to you and your family on the death of your father. His was a long life, well lived, and I know your memories will bring you comfort.
Peter, Tracey and Lewis Families, A beautiful and eloquent tribute to your Dad that reads like an inspirational novel. In your time of grief trusting the support of those around you bring a few smiles through their stories. While lifting your spirits in the reflections of Dr John’s generous contributions to those fortunate to be in his care. Hugs Geri & Ron
Condolences to his family
Many great memories with Uncle John over the decades, one that comes to mind is from 25 years ago or so, at a wedding up in St. John’s, at the reception afterwards. Uncle John cornered me and asked if I wanted to go fishing the next morning… just a short hike out to a stream he knew of. Knowing uncle John’s reputation to vastly under-stating a hike that normal people would consider arduous physical activity, I immediately stopped drinking and mentally prepared. Got up the next morning and hiked a good 4 hours over the hill and through the Dale, through a neverending swamp and out into the Newfoundland wilderness to get to the aforementioned fishing hole. We quickly caught a 1/2 dozen or so trout and fried them up on the spot and ate them. I sure enjoyed that day and the other times I spent with uncle John over the 60 plus years, I knew him. I will miss him.
We were sorry to hear that Dr. John has passed. Please accept our sincere condolences. Our thought and prayers are with you at this difficult time..
Your Dad accomplished a lot of things during his life John. I can see where you get your joie de vivre. Our sincere condolences to your family and to Madeleine and you.
Danielle and Yves
Condolences and thoughts to the Lewis family
Dr. Lewis was an outstanding doctor by reputation and a true adventurer of life with a compassionate flare. The old school doctors of Newfoundland were amazing men and women. He will be missed.
My very most sincere condolences to all of John’s family and friends.. I had the pleasure to serve alongside him and Noreen at St.Teresa’s SSVP foodbank for a few years,, he was always so mild and very kind. Great memory one summer as they invited us to a BBQ at their cabin in Holyrood ( nothin.g but the best ) some of us even got to swim in their pool.. I will cherish my memories for life RIP 🙏🏻🙏🏻
r.i.p.
Dear Peter,
Sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. He had quite the life, one to be proud of.
Paul and Peggy O ‘ Brien
Grand Falls Windsor
My condolences to you, Leah, and all the family!
Touched and grateful when he showed up at my brother Paul’s send off last year with you Mary. They were at the Family Practice together. Always much admired and respected him. It is an art to be a great man while not diminishing your children. He seemed to encourage and uplift, rather than overwhelm or ignore.
What a brilliant, humble man.. I became a sort of acquaintance when he became my high school chemistry teacher in my senior year in 1963 on Bell Island. What a memorable and fortunate year that was for my senior class.
John, the Rhodes Scholar and town medical doctor. Mrs. Kapel, the escaped PH’d (in Physics) making her way with her family to my small hometown from Castro’s Cuba and becoming my Physics teacher. Mr. Hamid, all the way from India, landing in our classroom to familiarize us about his culture and teach us, of all things, English Literature and Grammar.. Miss Lamswood and her Latin brilliance. Clarence Rideout in his Batman like teacher’s gown swooping into the classroom to display his fearless brilliance in Geometry and ? , even though he had only a year of university training in teaching.. Mr. Clarke, the principal and history teacher. And to keep our souls on the straight and narrow, there was Tommy Smith, the town’s Anglican minister in charge of Religious Studies. Was there ever a more capable staff for a senior high school class? Damn, never.
But, John, it was you, most of all, who caught my fancy. Ambling in to the classroom like Ichabod Crane (some of my classmates, you know, tagged you with that endearing name) you would ask what’s the title of the chapter we are doing today.. Just the title was all you needed and off to the races you went with your brilliant lectures. It was a big thick Chemistry textbook full of periodic tables and numerous other chemistry mysteries to be introduced to a novice class. But amazingly, I don’t think you ever opened that book for the whole school year.
Ironically, I thank you, sir, my brilliant Chemistry teacher, for instilling in me a lifelong love of the brilliant poets and writers that I got to know and admire through their works, and that you sometimes mentioned in your Chemistry class. I’ve lived a few places in my lifetime (fifty-four years now in Southern California), but those long ago memories of you and that final high school year have never left me. Thank you for those precious memories.
Bless your kind and humble soul and your brilliant mind. Adieu. Your learning Swahili blows my mind, but doesn’t surprise me at all.
What a wonderful life he lived. Condolences to all the family.
Dr. John’s Children and Nephew Paul
We are so deeply sorry to learn of Dr Lewis’ passing. A true legend amongst his peers especially the many residents he mentored throughout the decades. We will fondly remember his many recitations. A favourite being the “Smokehouse on the Kyle “ he shared during a lobster boil at Cobblers Brook. We know your many wonderful memories will provide comfort as you bid farewell to your beloved Dad and Uncle. God Bless.
Jim and Marilyn King
Please accept our deepest condolences. I remember Dr. Lewis for his empathy and compassion as the trusted family physician to my husband Keith and I for many years. He played a pivotal role in inspiring me to pursue a career in medicine.
Mary and Leah, I am so sorry to learn of your father’s passing. I remember first hearing about him in high school when Mary spoke of your family’s experience. In Africa. Dr Lewis was an extraordinary man by all accounts.
Please accept our condolences. Doctor John was one of the most remarkable men we had the good fortune to meet. Art and Heather Meaney
John was my first family doctor when I went back to work when the HSC opened but I also counted him as a friend to me and my late husband Burf. We both shared his love of the country and loved being entertained when he broke into song at a party. or dinner.Another gentle soul has left us.
To all his amazing family ….my thoughts are with you.
Dr. Lewis was a true gentleman and a scholar. May your memories of him be a blessing .
What a remarkable life’s journey shared with his beloved wife Noreen around NL and in Africa. A life of service and contribution and also of immersion in and enjoyment of nature and poetry and music.. That speaks to a rich life, well lived.
Condolences to family and friends.
Carolyn and Gloria