1932 – 2013.
Died peacefully in Victoria, BC, on March 6, 2013 with his wife Margaret holding his hand. Frank was born in Winnipeg on December 21, 1932 and moved to Victoria when he was fourteen. He graduated from Oak Bay High School in 1952 and celebrated sixty years later at a happy reunion with his classmates. He studied at the Vancouver School of Art (now Emily Carr University of Art and Design). His work there led to a career in commercial art as an illustrator in Toronto and Vancouver. He took some time off from the visual arts to act in The Ecstasy of Rita Joe, in a tour which ended in Ottawa for the opening of the National Arts Centre in 1969. He returned to Vancouver to freelance and work for the CBC.
Later Frank moved back to Vancouver Island, and began to take on big projects. He painted the first two murals in Chemainus, BC. Some of his other major local works were for the Maritime Museum in Vancouver, the XV Commonwealth Games in 1994 and two murals on the Galloping Goose Trail at Cecilia Park. Of his many murals, one is in Kenora, Ontario and another in the entrance to the Canadian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His works all feature Canadians at work and play or Canadian wildlife and plants. He continued the theme in the canvases of his later years.
He traces his ancestors back seven generations to the adventurous young men who came from the Orkney Islands, Scotland and England in the 1700’s to work for the Hudson’s Bay Company. They were boatmen, fur traders and interpreters who survived the hazards of their new land with the help of their Cree wives who provided local knowledge and extended family support.
Fittingly, his last public painting, produced in his eightieth year, hangs in the Healing Centre in the Royal Jubilee Hospital. It is called Honour Creation and is full of symbolism from his Metis heritage. With his wife Margaret he travelled on projects to Bolivia, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. They completed some of his largest murals working together for over twenty years.
He was moved by music of all genres. He told many stories of Canadian Jazz artists he had known. He supported the Victoria Symphony and the Pacific Opera. He admired the artistry of Glenn Gould, P.J. Perry and Ann Mortifee. Frank was creative, inquiring, intelligent and deeply spiritual. He believed in trust and respect as the basis for any strong relationship.
He was predeceased by his brother Al Lewis of Victoria. He leaves his loving and beloved wife Margaret Parker in Victoria and her family, his daughter Marin Solange (Mia) Lewis Hunt, her three daughters Deana, Zoe and Wagilla, and four great grandchildren, all of Vancouver, BC, and his brother, Jack Lewis Smith of Manitoba.
A celebration of Frank’s life will be held at McCall’s Funeral Home in Victoria on Friday, March 22, 2013 at 2:00 pm. A reception will follow in the McCall’s Family Centre. A service will also be held in Vancouver at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pacific Opera Victoria, 500 – 1815 Blanshard Street, Victoria, BC V8T 5A4. Condolences for the family may be offered below.
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Valerie Macdonald Chappel
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Monica Hogg I knew Frank for a short time in the 70s when he had his studio in Gastown. He was a fascinating and talented fellow and I enjoyed his company a lot. I have often thought of him over the years, wondering how he is, where his life has led him and what beautiful huge work of art he is creating now. It was good to know you, Frank, even for such a short time.
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Johanna Ruocco My condolences to the family. I met Frank many years ago in Vancouver in the sixties and would often run into him through friends and his art. I admired his journey in life and of course his inspiring art.
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Michael Storr Hello. I am re-visiting the condolence site for Frank Lewis in order to also, as have others, request the information as to when the service memorial will be held in Vancouver because I want very much to attend. I have left one message earlier but wanted to let the family know that during the past while I have been thinking about Frank a lot and want to honour him at his memorial service if possible. Michael Storr, Vancouver BC.
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Sharon McInnis I knew Frank in Vancouver when he was 43 and I was 23, almost 40 years ago. He was an amazing man, who was – and always will be – a great light in my life. I would like to attend a celebration of Frank’s life in Vancouver, so would appreciate hearing about that.
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M. Ellis Every time I cycle or walk past that fabulous tunnel mural on the Galloping Goose, I stop to gaze, am touched and inspired. Blessings on his memory.
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Barbara Weaver-Bosson and Victor Bosson To Margaret and the Frank Lewis family members,
We are so glad to have known Frank. We were among many of his friends and colleagues through the Island Illustrators Society. We loved his good nature and his up lifting art. Frank will sadly be missed by us and many friends and family. We know he will truly live on through his art and spirit.
Sending our sincere condolences,
Barbara and Victor
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Jaleen Grove Dear Margaret and others of Frank’s family,
I am so sad to hear of Frank’s passing. He was one of the first people to be a mentor to me in my pursuit of illustration as a noble profession. We had many wonderful talks and I learned a lot from his stories of his life and career. I am especially grateful for the help he gave me in my MA thesis research. My condolences to all – if I were in Victoria I would surely come to the service. Please let me know when the Vancouver one will be held — I will be there May 14-20.
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Ron and Marcia Stacy We knew Frank through the Island Illustrators Society. We very highly respected him and his work. He was a wonderful person and a great artist and we know he will be missed.
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Michael Storr Hello. I am an old friend of Frank’s who got to know him around 1965 while he lived in Vancouver. I was notified of Frank’s passing by a mutual friend who now lives in Victoria. I liked Frank very much and have thought of him often during the ensuing years. I am so sad that he is no longer with us, he was a beautiful man, very talented and a fine person. Please accept my condolences and know that I, for one, will always carry his image in my heart’s mind.
Michael Storr. Vancouver, BC
I knew Frank in 1959-1960 in Toronto. He was living in a coach house with Don Francks. What a talented pair they were. We hung out at the long gone First Floor Club as well as the Town Tavern. Frank was a gentle spiritual soul. Margaret and family…I know you brought stability and love into Frank’s life. Rest In Peace, dear Frank.