Obituary of Gregory D. Lewis

Greg Lewis was born December 28th 1946 in Kansas City, MO. As a child he roamed the woods and backroads of rural Kansas with his Davy Crockett hat and trusty dog, Jigger. As a student at Kansas University, he was moved to pursue a major in political science after attending a speech by Robert Kennedy on campus. His further education was put on hold, however, when he was drafted into the Viet Nam war, serving as a squad leader in the Cambodian Incursion and earning a Bronze Star for valor in combat. He remained deeply proud of his military service, frequently speaking at Veteran's events, but the experience also left him a passionate advocate for pacifism, conflict resolution, and social justice. Returning to civilian life, he went to law school and became the head of legal services for the Black Hills Indian Reservation in South Dakota. After several years dabbling with private practice, city attorney and law school professorships, Greg found his professional passion as a county and city manager, a position he would hold from 1991-2015 in Beltrami County, MN, Niagara County, NY, and West Lebanon, NH. After his retirement, he returned to his house in Lockport, where he was Niagara County Manager from 2003-2010. Working for the public was his calling, and he believed that the purpose of local government was to make life better for its citizens.

Greg's highest passion and greatest pride was in his role as husband and father. In 1980 he met his wife, Ruth Carol Lewis, at an ice cream social in Boulder, Colorado where she was working as a nurse. He proposed on the third date and they were married for 40 years. Together they had three children, Ben, Kate, and Zack, who were the light of his life. He was also a devout animal lover and could frequently be seen wrangling his pet bulldogs, golden retrievers, and an assortment of attitudinal cats. He devoted the last days of his life to caring for his beloved wife and organizing community get-togethers on his local street, reflecting his unending commitment to family, community, love, and duty. He was a world class man. 

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.  Memorials to the Diamonds in the Ruff Animal Rescue, PO Box 332, Lockport, NY 14095, diamondunderdogs@yahoo.com, would be appreciated by the family.  Please share online condolences at www.pruddenandkandt.com.