Boyd Wilbur Lewis was born on October 9, 1932 in Ponoka, Alberta, to Henry and Mildred Lewis. He grew up on a farm in the Bobtail district, along with his parents and younger brother Norman. He spent his formative years in Ponoka, and after graduating from Ponoka High School in 1950, went to work for the Imperial Bank of Canada which later merged with the Canadian Bank of Commerce. Boyd went on to have a long and illustrious career in banking with CIBC.
Early in his career, after starting out in Alberta, he went on to work for CIBC in 4 other provinces, with highlights including Flin Flon in Manitoba and Balmertown in Northern Ontario, before joining the International Audit. The Audit, while based in Toronto, took him to such places as London, UK and New York City. In 1967, Boyd took up a managerial position with the international wing of CIBC in Jamaica, settling in Port Antonio in the lush northeastern parish of Portland, where he became a fixture not only in the bank but also in the community of Port Antonio.
Boyd remained in Port Antonio for the last 53 years of his life, sometimes travelling from there for vacations in places like Florida and New York, and also with occasional visits to Canada to visit family and friends in Penticton BC (where his parents retired to), Calgary, Edmonton, and of course, Ponoka.
In Jamaica, Boyd was honoured with numerous awards for community service. He was described by a friend as "an exemplary volunteer [who] did help a lot of non-profit organizations in Port Antonio and was recognized for his selfless service". He volunteered as treasurer for numerous organizations, served as secretary for the Portland Chamber of Commerce for 30 years, and was instrumental in organizing the world-famous Port Antonio Marlin Tournament for at least 40 years.
He was a staunch Rotarian throughout his time in Jamaica with involvement in many Rotarian projects, and he served at least one term as President of his local chapter of the Rotary Club. He was also a dedicated member of Christ Church (Anglican) in Port Antonio, and in fact served as a lay minister providing sermons and other services, and he was a Justice of the Peace.
Boyd had a wonderful collection of art comprising paintings, prints and sculptures made predominantly by local artists, adorning his beautiful home which he called Cambria. Jamaica had definitely become Boyd's adopted home, and when he took ill with cancer during his final year, he was insistent on remaining there in his beloved Cambria, rather than returning to his birth home of Canada as was being initially suggested by his wonderful Family Physician, Dr. S. Parvataneni.
The family is extremely grateful to "Dr. P", Boyd's physician for almost 40 years, for his devotion above and beyond medical treatment, and for his kindness in keeping us informed of his progress. Boyd received excellent care in Jamaica, and by all accounts, he died according to his wishes, peacefully at home in his sleep.
Boyd was predeceased by his parents Mildred and Henry, and by his sister-in-law Betty Lewis. He is survived by his brother Norman, his niece Colleen Lewis, his nephew James (Carol-Ann) Lewis, his great niece Suzanne Lewis, and many friends and admirers in Jamaica.
A memorial service is to be held in Port Antonio, at a date yet to be determined.
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