For those unable to attend the mass for the Late Dr. John Lewis may view it at its schedule time by clicking on the following: St. Teresa’s
With heavy hearts, we share the sad news that Dr. John Francis Lewis took his last breath just after sunrise on December 13th, 2025. He died peacefully in his family home after a short illness. Beloved by his family and friends, he was predeceased by his wife and life-partner, Noreen (Murphy), his sisters Elizabeth Heneghan, Anne Conway, and Patricia Glover, nephews Timothy and Chris Sullivan, Chris Abbot, Matthew Glover, brother-in-law Ray Murphy, and sister-in-law Rosemary Johnson. He leaves to mourn his children Philip, Peter (Tracey Shave), John (Madeleine LeBlanc), Mary, Stephen, and Leah; his grandchildren Marika, Patrick, Liam, Everett, Sarah, Anais, Ella Ray, Elsa and Felix; his siblings Philip (Elizabeth) and Joan Sullivan; his in-laws Sheila Abbott, Brenda Turner, Sylvia (Joan) Murphy, Tom Murphy, Kevin (Bob) Murphy, Patricia Collette, and a wide circle of family, friends and colleagues. A special nod to his life-long friend and best man Noel Hutton, Andrew (Chief Petty Officer) Hutton, and nephews Paul (the Bo’swain) and Paddy Heneghan.
Born in St. John’s on June 16th, 1932, John spent his childhood summers at his father’s family home in Holyrood, where his enduring love of the outdoors was born. He retained lifelong memories of squid fishing in Holyrood Bay, and exploring the back country, learning fly-fishing on the rivers and caribou hunting from his old friends and mentors, Mr. Billy Curran, Mr. Jack Carroll and Mr. Michael Dunphy. His love of Newfoundland countryside was deeply lived. He skied the entire length of the island over the course of his life, fished many of its rivers, hunted its barrens, and always kept a woods camp deep within the Salmonier wilderness area (“God’s Pocket”) that could be reached by ski in the winter, and canoe in summer. He survived many close calls including falling through the ice and being lost in the winter wilderness for days without supplies. John was a religious man, attending church faithfully his whole life, but his deepest prayer was manifested in a lifelong practice of seeking peace and meditation in the wilderness, always leaving the smallest footprint.
A Rhodes scholar, John graduated from medical school in Oxford. With Dr. John Ross, he was among the founding members of Memorial University’s Division of Family Medicine, a benchmark in Canada. His commitment to rural medical training fostered lasting relationships with many residents, including Dr Roger Butler, who cared for him in his final years. He helped establish the Palliative Care program at St. Clare’s Hospital, and at the behest of Father Shea who sought to address the issues of poverty in Shea Heights, he designed and founded the original Shea Heights Medical Clinic which was a flagship community clinic. John sought to be of service in all facets of his life, both personal and professional. In his early career, in partnership with Noreen and with three small children in tow, he relocated to Uganda, working in village hospitals while Noreen volunteered in local schools. They had two more children there before returning to Newfoundland. Once their 6 children had grown, they returned frequently to East Africa, working in rural communities throughout the region – making new friends and discoveries. In 2009, he was awarded the Order of Canada in recognition of his services.
Gifted with a curious mind, he was a lifelong student, whiling away hours poring over books of poetry or biography, or (his favorite!) the World Atlas. He possessed a deep knowledge of world history, geography, current affairs, languages (including Swahili), and much more. He had a discerning and intense passion for song and poetry (the rhyming verse type) and loved to recite and sing. He had a soft spot for Irish rebel songs, and a near reverence for the poetry of E J Pratt, Robert Service, Thomas Macaulay, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Robbie Burns and Ted Russell, and he would perform them with gusto.
Dad loved time spent with family and friends. Always a gracious host, his typical greeting to all was ‘will you have a drink?’ and the only answer was yes. He hosted with humour and wit, insisting on seeing off guests from the outside steps, impervious to the weather, a habit he retained as long as he was able.
After retiring from Memorial, in addition to the years spent in Africa, John worked locums in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. Noreen was always an enthusiastic partner, offering her services in local schools wherever their adventures took them. He wasted no time finding kindred spirits – mostly woodsmen who also loved the outdoors. These friendships endured to the end. Special mention to Larry and Bev Ploughman from Port Saunders.
When John lost Noreen two years ago, the predictions were that he would follow soon after. But he continued to live fearlessly, cherishing each day and interaction, sharing poems or songs whenever asked. His final summers were spent in Holyrood, monitoring activity on the bay and at the bird feeder. Although he suffered from memory loss in his last years, he continued to elevate our days with fascinating facts of the world, performing songs and exquisite verse to the very end. He shone a powerful light and will be sorely missed.
The family extends a special thank you to our devoted care-giving team especially Erica Hann, Andrew Humber, Obed Effah, Nurse Erin Nugent, Dr. Bruce Doulton and Dr. Roger Butler.
Cremation has taken place.
Visitation will take place at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Rd. from 6-9 p.m. on Saturday, December 20th and from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, December 21st.
Funeral mass will be held on Monday, December 22nd, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. from St. Teresa’s Church, Mundy Pond Rd.
