Gregory Elbridge Lewis, 63, of So. Pasadena, FL passed away on Sunday, September 23, 2012 at Bay Pines VA Health Care System.
Gregory was a man of a myriad of talents. After his tour of duty in Vietnam with the US Army, he returned to the USA and received a Master's Degree in Philosophy and Math. He later worked professionally and traveled the world as a journalist and photo journalist, winning many awards for both his newspaper articles and news photos. His talent for writing and his eye for photography were a true gift from what he liked to refer to as a higher power. Greg was in the process of further exhibiting his talent and skill by writing a fictional book of short stories based on his Floridian experiences. The book will be published in the near future and is one of the many legacies that he will leave to this world for posterity and enrichment of all. He had also taught Philosophy at the post-graduate level and later in life at the undergraduate level.
Among his many, many interests, he could be seen doing Doctoral level Math for a hobby, reading many different philosophy books and writing his own philosophical views. He also enjoyed the many different aspects of life including golf, wind-surfing, kayaking, boating, motorcycling, working out at the gym three to four days a week, photography, range shooting, swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, guitar playing (he had an enormous talent for music), the Museum of Fine Art in St. Petersburg, Classical orchestral concerts and enjoying the occasional breakfast outing with friends. He had an incredible zest and love for life itself.
He leaves behind his loving wife, Ada, whom he could be heard calling "Queenie" or his "Peaches-n-Cream" or simply, "There's my baby". In return, he was referred to by Ada as "Kingo", "Sweet-pea" and also "My baby". Greg always had a respect for people that was reflected in his constant smile. He had a special love for his white cat T-2 who could always be seen sitting on the chair with Greg while he was reading or writing. Greg will be sadly missed by Ada and T-2.
Greg had too short of a time with Ada and T-2 as his life was taken suddenly and far too young at age sixty-three. Cherished are the plethora of memories and talents that he brought to our lives in our relatively short time together. They are cherished for eternity. You expanded our minds and made us dare to dream.
Last but not least, Greg was proud of his sobriety and the life that AA afforded him. He cherished his many friends that he gained from the program and was always willing to help the confused newcomer by keeping the messages simple. "Keep the plug in the Jug", "One day at a time", "Keep your eye on the prize" and "Don't drink today, come back tomorrow, life gets GOOD". He would also say, "I thank my Higher Power that I do not HAVE to drink today, that I have been relieved from the disease and slavery of addiction and can live and enjoy life", which he did with style and grace. The family would like to thank the members of AA for their love and support in this trying time of our loss of Greg. Also, we would like to thank our many friends and family that have shown their love and support for Greg and Ada in their time of need.
We would also like to thank the VA Hospice for their love and support in this difficult time. Kudos to all the Doctors and Nursing Staff at the VA.
A graveside service with full military honors will be presented by the Pinellas County Veterans Council at 9:15 AM on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., 33744. (727) 398-9426.
Till we meet again……..remember Ada and T-2 love you the same as you would always love and say to us, "I love you with all my heart and soul, forever and a day".
Please sign the guestbook below.
So sorry for your loss of Greg, Ada. I am sorry I wasn’t able to be there for you. May your good memories of your short time together support you in the coming days. T2 will comfort you.
Claire, Windsor, ON
Ada
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time
Love Tom Laurie and family
Copley Oh
I’m glad I have known Greg all these years. Love to Ada & T-2. Call anytime. Love, Sheila
I enjoyed getting together with you and Greg in the mornings and delighted in discussing math and life in general with Greg. His passing was a great shock and he will be missed. Please come to coffee when you can.
My condolences, Ada. I’m very sorry to hear of Greg’s passing. We miss seeing you both at BPLB.
Kingo, Sweet-Pea, Baby aka my husband Greg. I am missing you terribly, hearing you tell me 50 times a day that you love me, waking me up in the night to say,”Queenie, I love you with all my heart and soul”. How I miss that. T-2 looks at the chair and is baffled as to why his daddy is not there for him to sit with. You are on my mind constantly. There is a big hole in my heart, but I am extremely thankful for the short time we had on earth together. There is and will be no other love like you and I shared. Until we can meet again and share that love, please be my guide in the every day things that life will bring. Love you with all my heart and soul, forever and a day, your one and only, your wife forever, Ada
May he rest in Peace,my sincere sympathy to lovely wife,Ada.
Sal from BPLB
So sorry to hear the news of Greg’s passing. May God grant you peace, Ada. Have missed seeing you at BPLB.
Ada, so seldom in life do we find the love of a partner that is so joyous, fulfilling and so life changing as the love you shared with Greg. Remember,he hasn’t left, he has simply moved to a different plane…he vibrates to a different measure. He is still there to hear you and comfort you through the sheer veil that separates you. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there with you but I am at the other end of the phone when you need to tell someone about the wonderful man you shared your life with. With love, Linda
Greg had the message and always carried it.
R.I.P. You are missed.
I am very sorry to hear that Greg has passed on. Greg or cousin Gregory, as I used to call him was once a big influence in my childhood. I looked up to how much he knew about everything. I have not seen him for quite awhile. I have been in AA since April and it too has changed my life. I only wish I would have ran into him in the rooms and was able to hear all the knew things he has learned since my childhood… Cousin Greg and his loved ones will be in my prayers….God bless…
Rest in peace Cuzzo! Say hi to Nanny, Poppy,Mommy ,n Tasha for me,until we meet again…
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE YOU!!! Missing you SO much!! Thinking of you constantly, and going to MANY meetings. Hard to stay home without you at the house. Miss your constant smile and telling me how much you love me and T-2. T-2 misses you MUCH, MUCH, MUCH!!!! We remember you constantly with every move that we make. We wish only for your happiness, serenity, free of pain and SOBRIETY!! Until we me again, we love you with all our hearts and soul, in your words, “FORVER AND A DAY”!!
Baby, Celebrated your birthday SOBER with Su at Do-Do’s! We had a great time reminiscing over some of the old times. I still miss you much, but am trying to get back into old routines, going to the gym, going to coffee shop across from Museum and of course meetings, meetings, meetings!! I know you are looking out over T-2 amd me and we both feel your presence. You gave me the best seven years of my life as we did everything together and thought so much alike.
Until we meet again, T-2 and I love you with all our hearts and souls forever and a day!!
Love you wife forever, Ada
Sill remember what a great husband you were. What a privilege to have been married to someone like you! Prayers for you and T2. I know you both found each other in heaven. Love to you both! God bless!