- Date Of Birth: July 16, 1926
- Date Of Death: September 19, 2011
- State: Arizona
Born on July 16, 1926 to Roy E. Lewis, a native of Colorado, and Rose Baker Lewis of Lake County, Raymond E. Lewis was born, raised, lived his entire life, and passed away on September 19, 2011, in Alameda. His parents were grocers and the proprietors of Lewis Market, on Encinal Avenue in Alameda.
Raymond was married to Joanne Severance Lewis and was the step father of Janet Peterson, Karen Schreiber, Robert Schreiber and John Schreiber. He graduated from Alameda High School, went on to serve in the U.S. Navy in World War II and later graduated from UC Berkeley. Like his parents, he was a grocery and beverage merchant, and for many years, the owner of Lewis Market and Encinal Imports. He was an avid outdoors-man, a hunter and a conservationist and loved food, wine and music from the 1940s. He was a loving, compassionate friend to his dogs; most recently, Zapper, Link and Louie.
Raymond was a very dear and close friend of Zee AboRashid, Migdalia Sainz, Malik AboRashid, John Goode, John DeDominic, Stephen McAuliffe, Robert Ackers, Lynn, Dave and Doug Watson, David Wielicki, Paul McKnight, Jeff Hume and many, many others in the Bohemian Club, the California Waterfowl Association and numerous organizations that he interacted with throughout his life. Ray was a very generous friend to all.
Ray was a California Waterfowl icon who was integral in the formation of the organization, served as Chairman of the Board from 1978 to 1981, and held the exclusive title of Director Emeritus. He was a stalwart, a constant figure throughout decades of growth, success and change. A staunch supporter of California Waterfowl, many would say Ray WAS California Waterfowl.
Ray was a generous and caring person whose presence will be dearly missed by all. A private celebration of Ray’s life is planned for this Sunday, October 2nd, at 2PM in San Francisco.
