Obituary of Harry MacPhee Lewis

December 26, 1933 - Tampa, Florida

November 3, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Harry MacPhee Lewis passed away in Calgary, Alberta in what he liked to say, was his 90th year.  Harry will be sadly missed by his loving wife Eleanor “Her Lordship” (Hamilton), predeceased by his younger sisters Anne McInnes (Angus) and Ruth Lewis; and survived by his brother Robert Lewis (Carol). He was the proud father of Cathy Lewis (Andy Yun), Gordon Lewis (Sherrie), Stephen Lewis, Trish Hanrahan (Pat Hanrahan), and Anne Marie Lewis (Aaron Taylor); and the loving Papa Harry to Galen, Kieran, Scott, Caitlin, Willow, and Georgia.  

Harry was born in Tampa, Florida, and raised in Paynes Mills, Ontario.  Harry graduated from Queen’s University in Chemical Engineering in 1956.  It was in Kingston that he met Eleanor at the Catholic Newman club dance, which was the beginning of their 67-year romance.  

His chemical engineering career took him all over Canada and the USA with Union Carbide, Sun Oil, GCOS, and then Suncor.  Although he was not one for self-promotion; he felt privileged to have managed the engineering design and build of the first commercially successful Oil Sands plant in Fort McMurray.  He took a calculated departure from engineering with a stint as a stockbroker, where he honed his investment skills, leading to a life-long daily love of stock charting and BNN watching.  

His retirement years with Eleanor were some of his happiest and most adventurous, taking them to Europe and Asia. Escaping 20+ Calgary winters, they enjoyed golfing and time with friends at their home in Nelson, NZ. Wine (longtime Opimian Society member) and gardening were his other passions. He lived long enough to be disappointed once again by his beloved Toronto Blue Jays.  He treasured his colleagues and friends all over the world.  He especially enjoyed weekly golf with Keith and solving the world’s problems every Thursday morning with his breakfast club.  

His family would like to thank all the people who cared for Harry and made it possible for him to be with Eleanor until the end. Including his loyal friend Keith, caregivers Raida and Svetlana; Physios Robert S and January; Drs Vanda Phillips, Tina Chang, Paul Lathrop, and Scott Samis; and the staff at Riverwalk Retirement Residence, Foothills (Unit 62), Peter Lougheed (Unit 43), and George Boyack Carewest. 

Please join us for a Visitation on Thursday, November 9, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at McInnis & Holloway Funeral Home (Chapel of The Bells, 2720 Centre St N, Calgary, AB).  The funeral will be held on Friday, November 10, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church (2424 24 Ave NW, Calgary), with a reception to follow. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Harry’s service streamed live on the day of the service. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Harry’s family here. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to your favorite charity.

In living memory of Harry Lewis, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

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