James William Lewis passed away on Wednesday September 11, 2024, at the age of 70 after a long series of illnesses, culminating with end stage liver cancer.

Jim was born at Toronto East General Hospital on January 2, 1954. He lived and worked all his life in the Scarborough and Toronto area. Sadly, his life came full circle when he passed away at Michael Garron Hospital (formerly TEGH) on September 11, 2024, at the age of 70.

Jim was predeceased by his mother, Dorothy (Wincott) Lewis (1986) and his father Edgar Lewis (2012).
He is survived by his wife Sandra (Gummerson) Lewis, stepson Sean McCreadie (Gisela Foster), grandsons Sean Jr. (Vanessa Mello) and Thomas as well as 1 great grandson, Raine.
He is also survived by his sisters, Margaret Lewis, Glenna King (Robert), and brother Robert Lewis (Maryanne Abate). Cherished Uncle to Michelle Lewis-Donnelly, Stephanie Lewis, (James Bennett), Robert King (Gwen Potter) and David King (Cayla Da Silva) and dearest Granduncle to Miya and Landon Donnelly, Penny and Colton Bennett, Finley and Lyra King and Tessa King.

Jim was a long-time employee of the Toronto Sun and later, Canadian Tire.
He enjoyed taking the courses that Canadian Tire offered and then being able to pass along that knowledge to help customers who came to him asking for advice. He really was a “people person” and tried to provide excellent customer service.

From a young age, Jim enjoyed socializing with people.
He accepted everyone for who they were. He could initiate conversations and enjoy talking to people wherever he went throughout his neighborhood - at a restaurant, grocery store, doctor’s office or on Wheel Trans. Even in the hospital, he joked and chatted with his nurses, PSW’s and physiotherapists. He often formed brief but strong friendships with his hospital roommates and chatted about an assortment of topics - varying from country music to current news items, or their own health issues and challenges that they faced.

In his own way, Jim was generous and kindhearted. He gave what he could of his time and money to charities, organizations, and at times, he would give money or food to friends in need.

Jim was a loyal member of the Royal Canadian Legion Oakridge Branch 73 for over 25 years, actively supported the Legion’s Poppy Campaigns and enjoyed playing darts competitively - winning several awards at the local level in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. He received the Poppy Appreciation Award from the Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Provincial Command (R.C.L Branch 73) in recognition of the support he gave to the Poppy Campaigns.

Jim was also a loyal supporter and member of Epilepsy Toronto and actively participated in their fundraising activities.
Jim suffered his first epileptic seizure in his late teens and a few years later became a member of Epilepsy Toronto. For several decades he was an active volunteer and participated in fund raising at Buskerfest and Purple Day to raise funds for Epilepsy Toronto. He thoroughly enjoyed the social aspects, and as a member went to various social events such as baseball and hockey games, wrestling, and movies.

Jim had special compassion for those with physical or mental disabilities. He could thoroughly empathize because he had experienced similar difficulties or had friends who were suffering from diabetes, cancer and other health issues.

Jim had a keen (if not different) sense of humor that sometimes people didn’t quite “get”.
I think that this sense of humor somehow helped him cope, as best he could, with the difficulties that beset him throughout his life.

Jim was a proud Canadian!
As a youth, he went on family summer vacations and explored from coast to coast the vastness of this country we call Canada.
Jim was a loyal supporter of Canadian sports teams – whether it be the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Blue Jays or the Raptors and often sported colorful shirts, sweatshirts or hats with the Maple Leaf or team logos on them as a manifestation of his support.

Jim also loved deeply and was kindhearted.
He was a lover of animals – especially his cat Meek. Jim loved Meek as if he were his own child. Jim would delight in showing pictures of Meek and explain that he was a black and white tuxedo cat with a little pink nose.
Although it was not always evident, Jim cared deeply for family and wanted to have a family unit that gathered and was supportive of each other.
He delighted in watching his nieces and nephews grow up and become happy responsible young adults who went on to have their own children. He always enjoyed hearing about their exploits and successes.
Jim also loved food. He enjoyed barbecuing and cooking for himself and Sandy until he couldn’t do it anymore. He also enjoyed his sojourns to Tim Hortons, Kelsey’s, Swiss Chalet and the many restaurants along the Danforth that he liked to frequent.

Since his late teens, Jim had experienced ongoing health problems and endured decades of progressively worsening ill health which affected all aspects of his life.
However, Jim was resilient and always tried to make the best of things. Despite all his difficulties, Jim enjoyed life and wanted to live!

Jim, your journey is now over, and you are now…finally at rest….in peace…. for eternity ….and in good hands.

You will be sorely missed by all those who cared about you and whose lives you have touched along the way.