William Stuart Lewis

Bill Lewis was an engineer, economist, businessman, a philanthropist, and a traveler. Bill was born in the Moncton area and graduated from high school in Millerton on the Miramichi. After joining the RCAF and his seven years of service, where he advanced to the rank of flying officer on CF-100s, he returned to New Brunswick and enrolled at UNB to study electrical engineering. He continued his studies at MIT, in Boston, then turned to economics and completed his PhD at Carleton University. He taught economics and finance at Montreal's Sir George Williams University, later to become Concordia, and eventually moved on to Halifax where he taught at Dalhousie University and St. Mary's University. Bill decided he would rather do than teach. He established himself in the real estate business in Halifax and it became his ticket to success and self-fulfillment.Today, more than twenty-five years later, Bill Lewis is best known for his volunteer work, and his philanthropy. He eventually reached the point where he felt he wanted to give back to the community that had contributed so directly to his success. Reflecting his enormous interest in music, he became a patron of the arts, a fundraiser for cultural institutions, and a generous benefactor. Perhaps his first love, among many worthy causes, is Symphony Nova Scotia. He has endowed one of the principal chairs and is today working on an endowment for the musical director's chair as a lasting memorial to maestro Georg Tintnor. The Symphony's Board of Directors publicly recognized Bill as its outstanding individual philanthropist by presenting him with the Concert Master's Award. In addition to his work with the symphony, he lent his time and his energy to numerous other endeavours in the Halifax area including St. Mathew's Church, the Scotia Festival, the St. Cecilia Society, the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra, and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation. He worked behind the scenes to promote worthy causes, Bill also through open his magnificent house in Cow Bay for various fundraising activities. Luckily for UNB, his generosity extended to his Alma Mater. He was a major supporter of the Venture Campaign, and, thanks to his particular interest in music, our resident musicians program has continued to thrive. In the last few years, he made the UNB family his family. He actively promoted alumni activities in Halifax, made special trips to Fredericton to attend concerts and special University functions, and traveled on seven of the international tours organized by the Associated Alumni. Bill Lewis became one of the Maritimes' most generous volunteers and benefactors. Bill had a lifelong commitment to the well-being, maturing, and education of young people and in particular the rescue of those addicted to substance abuse as expressed in his generous gifts to the Portage Atlantic Program at Cassidy Lake N.B. where he is recognized at the highest level of support as a Champion Donor. Bill is survived by his sister Phyllis, her children Sharon, Wendy, Linda, Deb, Dee, Chuck, Stewart, and Ken, and many grand nieces and nephews along with countless other friends and family whom were blessed to know him.

Visitation will take place at J. A. Snow Funeral Home; 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax, NS on Thursday at 2:00-4:00 pm. There will be a memorial service at St. Mathew’s United Church at 1479 Barrington Street, Halifax on Friday, March 25, at 11:30am.