Fitz Rupert Ancel Lewis

Fitz Rupert Ancel Lewis was born on October 10, 1922, in Litchfield, West Coast, Berbice to Wattle Lewis and Florence Hemerding. Fitz came from humble beginnings and grew up surrounded by his close-knit family, the Lewises and Semples of Litchfield. In his village, he was endearingly known as FR, Uncle Ancel, Uncle Fitz, and many other names.

In his late teens, Fitz, along with many of his male relatives went into the interior to mine for gold and diamonds. Life was tough in the Interior (known as “De Bush”) and was not for the faint of heart. FR fearlessly challenged the work and was soon dubbed “the young lion” becoming legendary among his peers in the interior. In later years, he worked at Guyana’s largest brewery company, D’ Aguiar Brothers. Seeking a better life, he emigrated to England in his late 30s, joining his brother Rannie who had previously moved overseas.While in England, he met and married his wife, the former Patricia Daniels whom he fondly called “Patsy” and “Tree”. The couple returned to Guyana in 1966 with younger sons Shaun and Karl in tow. Fitz emigrated to the United States in 1971, joining Patsy who had gone ahead, and began a new life in Long Island, New York. He worked at Mayfair nursing home and Hempstead Hospital, until retiring in 1987 and moving to San Antonio, Texas the same year.

After retirement, he successfully pursued entrepreneurship and participated in several business ventures including opening three home health agencies. FR worked hard all his life and was noted for his determination, attention to detail, keen business sense, and money management skills. Over his lifetime his summary occupations included miner, production line worker, healthcare worker, business owner, entrepreneur, and real estate investor. Fitz was known for being a no-nonsense man, who acted upon his convictions without apology. He was very wise and a master at handling his affairs, keeping them private and orderly and standing by every decision he made. He was fiercely independent and played an active role in major personal business decisions even after he reached 100 years of age.

In 2017, Fitz left San Antonio and relocated to Hudson, Florida in the Tampa area. He would remain there for six years, during which time he celebrated turning 100 surrounded by family and friends. In the months following his 100th birthday, he and his wife decided that they would spend their remaining years living between Guyana and San Antonio where they could be nearer to family.FR’s greatest joy was returning home frequently to his native Guyana. Guyana was where he found true happiness and peace, enjoying the beauty and warm climate, visiting with family and friends, and eating delicious native foods. Wherever he lived, he could be found sitting in his favorite chair and watching TV (with the volume way up).

Fitz had many friends and quickly endeared himself to people that he met. Throughout his life he shared liberally and helped many people, never expecting anything in return. His love for his close friends was only surpassed by his love for his family.

His love for family was passionate and intense and among his many attributes, he was loyal and committed to “Family First”. He had a very large family network that would boggle the most astute minds. But for FR, who deeply cherished his family ties, it was all very simple and practical. In his generation, terms like first, second and third cousin were rarely if ever used. To this day in Litchfield, nearly all family members fall into the categories of parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts and nieces or nephews with some cousins and friends sprinkled here and there. Some family members muse that they were well into their adult years when they deciphered the true family genealogy. For Fitz, the bond of love mattered more than details and wherever you found yourself in his huge network, you were embraced, deeply loved, and privileged to be a part of his village.

He will be remembered for his extraordinary strength, charm and grace, his forgiving and unselfish nature, his wisdom and determination, and his tremendous generosity. We will miss his husky voice, his bright smile, his hearty laugh, and the presence that lit up our lives. This man, the enigma who was Mr. Lewis, Fitz Rupert, Fitz, FR, Uncle Fitz, Uncle Ancel, Dad, and Grandpa will be forever cherished by those who knew and loved him.

Fitz Rupert Ancel Lewis was preceded in death by both parents, his brothers and sister, and children, Irvin, Veronica and PatrickFitz is survived by his wife Patricia, Daughters: Juliet, Norma (Weldon), Roslyn, Anita (Glenn), Allister (Kevin), Althea (Jason), Sons: Rory (Dawn), Eric (Rose), Shaun (Josette), Karl (Haidee), Granddaughters: Denise, June, Cherice (Lee), Tanya (Brandon), Lani, Jessica, Lakeya (Ned), Ayesha (Cole), Chevonne, Shae-Lynn, Aliya, Imani, Kyera, Kaylen, Elysa, Grandsons: Osric (Svetlana), Brian (Sandra), Lyddon, Troy, Shawn, Marlon, Eson, Kirk, Henry Allan, Andrew Jordan (AJ), Jonathan, Kyone, Shaun II, Sebastian, Daniel, Jonathan, Alex, Max, and several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins, brother-in-law, Gordon Daniels (Lynett), sister-in-law, Wilma Evans, brother-in-law, Frank Daniels (Natasha), sister-in-law, Gillian Daniels, other relatives, and many dear friends.

The family will receive friends from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, Friday, April 12, 2024 and from 4:00pm to 5:00pm, Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

FUNERAL SERVICESATURDAY, APRIL 13, 20245:00PMPORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH2102 NORTH LOOP 1604 EAST

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