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Obituary: John Lewis
Obituary: John Lewis
It is with great sadness that I report the death of former President of the Holborn Law Society, John Lewis (88), earlier this year, after a short illness..
John was a member of the Holborn branch as it was then, since 1977. He was elected vice-president in 1992, and then President in 1993. He served the organisation with distinction, ably supported by his wife, Anita. Records show that he advocated for more women in leadership of the organisation and encouraged more local solicitors to join. The annual conference that year was held in Brighton, and the gala dinner was attended by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Mackay.
John Lewis was a career lawyer, who qualified in the early 1960s after his national service. He initially practiced in Canning Town, before moving to Holborn. He became a partner at Redfern’s in Grays Inn Place where he remained throughout the 1980s. In the 1990s he moved to Belmont and Low in Farringdon, before taking on a position near to his home in Bedfordshire. John also served as a deputy district judge and a magistrate for a number of years.
John was a family man. Twice married, first to Pamela, also a solicitor who practiced in North London. Then to Anita, a retired head teacher. He had two children, two stepchildren and by the time of his death 20 grandchildren and great grandchildren.
As well as the law and his family, his great love was sport. He played in his youth for his school Queen Elizabeth Boys in Barnet – cricket, football and rugby. And in later life he served as a referee on the London rugby circuit, refereeing at Wasps, Saracens and other notable clubs, and was a keen golfer.
John’s sense of duty and responsibility continued into his retirement. He served as a town councillor including several stints as chair, a Central Bedfordshire district councillor, Rotarian, member of Probus, and he remained a school governor until well into his 80s.
John was a great advocate for the law, and for Holborn lawyers. Those who are in practice and remember him will no doubt remember his special qualities. ■
