As he planned, Lew passed away peacefully on Thursday September 15, 2022. Although ALS had changed much of Lew’s life, he retained his ability to love, to enjoy being with friends and family, and to live with grace and resolve.
Beloved husband of Coleen and loved by his and Coleen’s parents, sisters and brothers and their children and grandchildren. Lew will also be fondly remembered by his many friends from university, work, golf and and neighbourhoods in Victoria, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto and Ottawa.
Lew’s career began and ended by leading change. Shortly after earning a B. Comm from UBC he joined Transport Canada and identified the need to reactivate Boundary Bay Airport. He then led planning and environmental assessment to rebuild and reopen the airport. He proudly wore its code, CZBB, on a favourite baseball cap.
Lew’s long career with Transport Canada saw him leading the planning, construction and operation of airports in BC, the Prairie Provinces, the Territories and Ontario. He then moved into managing regulation of rail safety and safe transportation of dangerous goods across the Prairies and the North. He proudly wore t-shirts and jackets emblazoned with various airport and Transport Canada emblems.
In 2004 Lew was invited to join the team creating the legislative and regulatory framework to establish the BC Safety Authority, and subsequently became the first Lower Mainland Regional Director. In 12 years of retirement, he proudly wore out a Safety Authority golf shirt.
Lew’s career and retirement years were marked by friendships. Everywhere Lew lived, he found family to celebrate and friends to enjoy. He created mentorship programs, rejoicing when young managers moved into executive roles. His friends and family relied on him to plan, organize and deliver anything that could be put into a schedule or a spreadsheet, laughingly awarding him the title “Master of the Spreadsheet”.
He loved to chat. If you didn’t know Lew, it’s because you didn’t stand beside him in a line-up, sit near him in a café or wait with him for anything, anywhere. He didn’t give up chatting when ALS removed his ability to speak; he used a type-to-speech app on his phone and a boogie board to carry on conversations. His family and friends were happy to be able to chat with him to the end.
Lew quietly set an example of care and compassion, both in his work and his personal life. He will be much missed.
An event to remember Lew will be held on Sunday, October 30, 2022, from 3:00 to 6:00 pm, at Backyard Vineyards in Langley, as well as on Sunday, November 6, 2022, from 3:00 to 6:00 pm, at the Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion.
Lew was deeply grateful for support received from the ALS Society of BC and the Canadian Red Cross. For many years he canvassed for Heart & Stroke Canada. In lieu of flowers, a donation to any of these organizations would be gratefully received.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Tim Cole
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Bev Phillips I’m so sorry for your loss, Coleen. Lew was my manager in the Winnipeg office of Airports Group, and he was wonderful to work with and to work for. He will be remembered with fondness and respect.
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Pierrette Hébert My condolences Coleen. I worked with Lew in Airports Group, Winnipeg at a time when integrity was in short supply and the office environment was difficult. Lew was a beacon of responsible management- always calm, respectful and ready to explain and assist. He was greatly missed when he left. Farewell to the ‘Chairman of the Bored’
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Douglas Parrish Lew was my friend and confident for over 50 years. We first met at UBC in the early ’70’s sharing stories about the sometimes-eccentric behaviour of some faculty. We spent a summer toiling for Transport Canada in a dingy office in Vancouver and gathered once a week for an evening of friendly basketball competition and nutritional libation in Burnaby.
When I was in relationship difficulty, again, and needed a friend, I met Lew after work one day and explained my troubles. He listened and understood but offered no judgement. He eventually offered me a solution which delivered me from that crisis but never, in the following years, betrayed my confidence. His quiet effectiveness was amazing. He never sought thanks or any acknowledgement declaring that it was no great accomplishment even though I told him how important his support had been. Humble and loyal in the service of others.
Lew, you’ll always be a friend. Peace be with you.
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Paulette and Ray Theberge Our condolences to you Coleen and family. I send you warm thoughts and smiles as I fondly remember Lew as a fine person and generous colleague. He always took the moment to help out, to mentor and to be there for his Airports Group coworkers in what was known as Central Region. He was always encouraging and ready with a smile. He will surely be missed.
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Doug Sjoquist I am so sorry to hear of Lewis’ passing. As a classmate and teammate of Lew’s at Burnaby South, there was a bond of friendship that has survived the test of time. At the last South Reunion, we picked up where we left off and talked and laughed like always. Rest In Peace, Lew.
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Bruce Kiloh I can’t think of a better teammate than Lew. Always a gentleman on the field or on the court he had great athletic abilities. He was fearless towards the opposition but always kind and supportive towards the members of his team.
You couldn’t go wrong by following his example. A great guy.
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Mark Conrad Colleen; please accept my heartfelt condolences. Lew was a mentor, a friend, and someone whose opinion always mattered to me. I very much enjoyed any time I got to spend in his company.
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Barbara Mackenzie My condolences to Colleen on Lew’s passing. Although it has been many years since we shared time at Waverley Street block parties in Winnipeg, I count myself as one who enjoyed chatting with Lew. Rest in peace.
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Jessie Parrish To the family and loved ones of Lew,
We have been so blessed to be in Lew’s vicinity. Energy, kindness and empathy poured out of Lew and filled the people around him.It has been my pleasure and good luck to spend time with Lew. Lew’s example of how to live a full and meaningful life and his memory will stay with me.
Sending warm thoughts from Australia,
Jessie Parrish
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Bill Ferguson Our condolences to you and your family Colleen-Bill and Heather Ferguson( former Transport Canada Environment Group Winnipeg)
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Robin Dodson Dear Colleen. I was saddened to hear of Lew’s passing. It seems such a long time ago that we worked together, but Lew was one of those people whose memory recalls a true gentleman with a lovely sense of humour and a dedication to his work. Please accept my condolences for your loss. Robin Dodson
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Brooke Ruskin Dear Coleen and family …
I was saddened to learn of Lew’s passing. I only just talked with him on the phone less than 2 months ago – I’m happy we had that opportunity.
First met Lew in 1997 when he was Director PNR for Transport Canada. Then in 2005 when I returned from an assignment in Asia, I worked for him at the BC Safety Authority.
The industry has lost another valued member of the ‘old guard’ and I personally will miss his mentorship that he willingly gave.
May Lew look down on us from time to time and give us direction. He will forever hold a special place in my heart and memories.
All my best, Brooke Ruskin
Colleen. Please accept my sincere condolences on Lew’s passing.
It was only a week ago that I was in Winnipeg and we were discussing you and Lew.
You both are leaving a wonderful legacy of all your hard work leading to progress for the air transportation industry in Canada.