I was  a patient of Dr. Lewis in 1978 and 1979....just learned that he is no longer with us.  He was a wonderful, caring physician about whom I have spoken proudly over the years.   I offer my condolences to all those close to him. He was so special.
Ruth Mesthene, currently of Arlngto, MA

I was a patient of Dr. Lewis in 1973 at Sloan.I was 17 years old with malignant melanoma. I trusted my red headed doctor. And I was not an easy patient after my surgery. It was a nightmare. To say the least. Dr. Lewis knew I most likely wouldn't survive. Or..if I did for a short while..would never have a child. In 1977 I let his office know I was alive & pregnant. I went back to Sloan Kettering to be interviewed & recorded at 8 months pregnant. My daughters are now 35 & 25 years old. I will be turning 58 in May. Thank you, Dr. Lewis. You may have thought I couldn't make it..but I proved you wrong. And you apparently did everything right. I am still here. Thank you. And rest in peace.

"Red" Lewis and I were close friends for many years in the "early days" of our lives, and it is hard to say "Goodbye".  He wouldn't remember me from 1951 and 1952, when I played trombone in the Harvard Band, and geve him time to rest as Varsity Center of the football team at half-time.  But I remember him, trotting by the band in the stadium endzone.  Though classmates at the college, we didn't really meet at that time.  And then we got separated even further by my skipping a college year as a Navy veteran, and his taking a year off in England for a post-college fellowship.  By the end of Harvard Med School (me '56 and Red '57) we had met again in the corridors and wards of the Mass General Hospital, where we were both Surgical Residents, aiming for our careers in Ob-Gyn.  Both of us were "Josiah Macy Fellows", a program aimed at providing academically trained teachers and practioners in our chosen field.  On my return from a Public Health Fellowship in England, our friendship resumed, and we had many joint family experiences, kids playing together, and parents beaming in shared professions, famlies and friendships.  Red was our choice for Amy's Godfather (see her note), and our connections as friends and families continued for many more years.  Though our lives went in different directions when our training was done, we always remained good friends, our lives enriched by those early years so closely shared.  My fondest memory of him is from a sunny afternoon at the MGH, where during one of those rare weekend parties on a White Building sixth floor roof, I took a picture of him, about to sail a beautifully made paper airplane out into the winds of Boston's North End.  I'm sure that's the way Red experienced his life, floating away into new experiences, rejoicing in the gifts of life, love, and intelligence that he'd been given.  If I can be remembered, like him, with such wonderful love, looking back on such an accomplished life, I will be be content.

Dear Anne, Lizy, and Kate-
We only just learned of the passing of your father but I still want to send my condolences.  I truly felt honored to have him as my godfather.  He always made me feel special and was so kind.  We lost touch a bit after I graduated from high school, so I was thrilled to run into him one day when I was in my mid-20s as I was crossing Michigan Ave. in Chicago.  He was there on business but somehow found time to get together for dinner.  We continued to keep in touch after that, and he extended a wonderful invitation to come visit him in NY before he retired to NH.  I brought along my boyfriend (now husband) and your dad treated us to dinner at the Harvard Club, tickets to a Broadway show and a driving tour of Manhattan that included stopping at St. John the Divine.  I appreciated so much that he found the time to attend both my confirmation when I was 14 and my wedding in Chicago when I was 35!  He has been and always will be special to me. My parents also appreciated his true friendship to all of our family.  We all send our sympathy and love to all of you.

Dear family of Dr. Lewis, Stephen and I were most saddened to learn about Dr. Lewis's passing. He was and will always be the most memorable person in our lives as not only did he save my life but delivered our miracle daughters Wendy and Hope. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to all of you and pray that the fact that others share your sorrow help ease your pain. Sincerely, Dedee and Stephen Lovell

He was best known to us as "Red" Lewis, a man of purpose who was a respected leader in the creation of Gynecologic Oncology. His contributions will be long remembered.  LEO J. DUNN

Dr. Lewis was my mentor and over time a close friend.  As Staffan Nordqvist, Richard Boronow, and all who new him personally note, we will miss him deeply and we express our warmest condolences to his wife Elaine. On behalf of friends and surviving families of the late Authur Chung, (my fellowship partner), James Freel (my personal mentor), and General Alan  Kunschner (my closet friend), sadness, sorrow, and grief are only a process to a higher calling to happiness in another world.  To daughters Anne, Lizy, and Kate, my son Lee, daughter Amy, wife Mary Jo and I express our deepest sympathy.

                                                         Glenn Pride MD (Dallas, TX)

JOHN WAS A UNIQUE MAN, PHYSICIAN AND FRIEND.  STRONG IN HIS VIEWS WITH WHICH I ALMOST ALWAYS AGREED AND VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THE GOG AND ME AS VICE-CHAIR AND GEORGE LEWIS AS CHAIR.  HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO GYN ONCOLOGY ARE LEGENDARY AND HAD SUCH A GREAT IMPACT ON THE SPECIALITY.
HIS GREATEST LEGACY ARE THE PEOPLE HE TRAINED AND NOW ARE LEADERS IN THE FIELD.   LUTHER W. BRADY, MD  DISTINGUISHED UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR, DREXEL ULIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE.

I have known Dr. Lewis for many years. He was in fac t one of the examiners when I took my Board Examination in 1975, He has been a Guest speaker in nAugusta and
d Savannah Georgia when I was the head of the Gyn Oncology Programs in both institutions, Though we are contemporaries and of the same age, IO have al;ways admire John and I will remember him as a teacher, colleague and friend. E. Talledo, MD, Augusta, Ga

Even as a relatively recent graduate from the fellowship at MSKCC, the substantial contributions made by Dr. Lewis to women with gyn cancer, and to the way we train doctors to care for them, was apparent to me.  Those of us who practice gyn oncology are grateful for his dedication and vision.  My condolences to his family and loved ones.

Dear Cousin Elaine:
I am so sorry to hear about you and your family's loss.  We send our love and condolences,   always with love  Amy and Dennis Gottesmann

To Ann,Lizy,& Kate,
You probably don't remember me,but I'm your cousin Carolyn Wieruscheske Commander.My granddaddy was your Uncle Carl Lewis.
Although I didn't see your dad very often,the memories I have of him are all good. He was always interested in hearing what we were doing,& gave his undivided attention. I know so well what you all are feeling now;we lost my daddy in October 2010.
Know that our prayers are with you all & that John L will be missed.

Please accept our most heartfelt condolences. We are thinking of you...

Condolences and thanksgiving in recognition of a classmate and friend who generously shared his talents, providing compassionate care for his patients and honoring his profession and its organizations through his consistent diligence.  Indeed a life well lived.

On behalf of the Gynecology Service, the Department of Surgery at MSKCC, the entire Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, and all the patients that we have been privileged to care for, we would like to express our sincere condolences to Dr. Lewis' family.  He was a true giant and pioneer in our field.  His knowledge, care, and compassion will continue to have a perpetual impact on women internationally as his colleagues, collaborators, and trainees carry on the passionate torch that he ignited in all of us.  There is a deep hole in our community with this loss but his tremendous contributions will never be forgotten. 
Richard R. Barakat, MD and the entire Gynecology Service at MSKCC

John Lewis was my mentor at the NCI, even though I was in another division.. I will always appreciate what he taught me and many others. A great man for our dspecialty and for women. Charles B Hammond, MD

So sad to lose a long time friend. He was the lead player and major force in the development of our specialty. Our medical fraternity appreciates his vision and share this loss. Aside from a variety of contributions and trainees, he helped shape one aspect of medical care- and in so doing  indirectly impacted, with many others, the cancer care of many women.///richard c boronow md

John, you brought me from my home country Sweden to New York as one of your associates in 1972, shortly after you had taken the position at MSKI. You introduced me to the medical community of New York and the country and helped shape my career. As a mentor and a friend you will never be forgotten.


September 20, 2012
With sadness for your loss, and deep sympathy for your sorrow, we honor our too short friendship with Red.
~ Jack and Bea Donovan, Evanston, Illinois

OBITUARY

Dr. John L Lewis Jr.

5 June, 1929 – 18 September, 2012

Ridout's Valley Chapel

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