Paul Lewis

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Paul Lewis (b. 1889 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; d. 1974 in London, Ontario, Canada), was a notable African-American and endearing figure in downtown London, Ontario for nearly 60 years.

Lewis arrived in London in 1914, finding work at White's Barbershop on Dundas Street where his many customers included future big band leader Guy Lombardo and his musical family (The Royal Canadians).

Active in the city's Black community, Lewis became a trustee at Beth Emmanuel Church (today, a designated heritage property under the Ontario Heritage Act) at 430 Grey Street. He collected funds for the church and served as its choir director, soloist and clarinet player. He also helped organize the Canadian League for the Advancement of Colored Peoples, founded in London in 1925.

"Paul Lewis: A thoughtful man, born with a creative incentive to do great things so impressively -- inspiring and helping children and adults of all ages." -- program for Beth Emmanuel Church, April, 1970 (as reported by Chris Doty on his website www.dotydocs.com).

After the closure of White's Barbershop in 1948, Lewis took a variety of odd jobs, including work as a janitor at Woolworth's and Silverwood's Dairy. In later life he became a much-sought-after subject for photographers and painters. Some of this work went on display at national exhibitions.

Although he entertained a reputation as an actor, Lewis's only known stage role was as the black gardener, Genesis, in the London Drama League's production of Seventeen by Booth Tarkington. He also auditioned unsuccessfully for the role of Joe in the Grand Theatre's production of Showboat in 1968.

[edit] Lewis honoured by London city council in 1970

With the death of his wife in 1959, Lewis's church and friends became his life. In 1970 he was honoured by London city council with a citation for his "almost daily acts of cheerful goodwill."

With his health failing, Lewis was forced to leave his meagre lodgings on Rectory Street in east London and enter the Dearness Home for the Aged. He died there in July of 1974. The money collected for his trust fund by friends was put towards a music award for local Grade 12 students.

Thirty years after his death in 1994, Lewis's story became part of Museum London's exhibit, People and Places: London's Black Community.

In February of 2005, the Paul Lewis Black History Room was opened by Lewis's friend, Pastor Delta McNeish, on Centre Street in London, featuring a permanent collection of Black history information and artifacts.