Former Mayor Harry Lewis passes away

Mr Lewis, a former Ulster Unionist Councillor on Lisburn Borough Council, served as Mayor from 1994 until 1996.

He was also well known as a prominent businessman in Lisburn for many years.

His funeral service was conducted by Canon George Irwin in St Marks Parish Church, Ballymacash on Thursday (September 24).

Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh, Councillor Thomas Beckett, extended his deepest condolences to Mr Lewis’s wife Kitty and their family.

“Harry was a long-serving Councillor,” he said, “and held the position of Deputy Mayor from 1993-1994 and he was Mayor from 1994 to 1996. Harry left the Council in 2005.

“He was a dedicated elected member of council and very popular with his colleagues.

“He was always very proactive in his work to promote the then town of Lisburn and took great pride in the development of the area when Lisburn was awarded City Status in 2002.

“His Mayoral portrait hangs at Lagan Valley Island to mark his time as Mayor, which is a fitting tribute to his contribution to the Council.”

Ulster Unionist Leader Mike Nesbitt also paid tribute to the former UUP councillor.

“I was saddened,” he said, “to hear of the death of Harry Lewis, a longstanding member of the Ulster Unionist Party and a former councillor who served as Mayor of Lisburn in the mid-90s.

“I didn’t know Harry personally, but having spoken to his former colleagues, such as Alderman Jim Dillon, I know something of the esteem in which he was held as they described Harry as a solid Ulster Unionist, a man committed to serving the people of Lisburn and someone who you could trust implicitly, as his word was his bond.

“I would like to pass on my sympathy to the Lewis family at this time of loss.”

A former council and party colleague, Ivan Davis, said he was saddened to hear of Mr Lewis’s passing and he extended his sincere sympathy to his wife Kitty and family.

“Harry was a lovely man to be around, “ he said. “He wasn’t afraid to voice his opinion but usually his thoughts and words of wisdom turned out to be the common sense approach.

“His time as Mayor was carried out with great dignity and integrity, ably supported by Kitty, and without doubt he was a true and trusted colleague who will be sadly missed.”

Mr Lewis is survived by his wife Kitty, children Joan and Nigel, son-in-law Fred and daughter-in-law Norma. He was also the much loved grandfather of Alison.

Donations in lieu, if desired, go to Diabetes UK, Northern Ireland, c/o Bobby Morrison Funeral Director, 38 Hillsborough Road, Lisburn, BT28 1AQ.