November 17, 2003 (Toronto, ON) – The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) extends condolences to the wife and family of Raymond Gray Lewis, who passed away peacefully on November 14 at the age of 94. He is survived by Vivienne Lewis, his wife of 63 years.

Over his lifetime, Lewis earned a multitude of accolades, including his appointment as an Order of Canada Member in 2000 and his Olympic bronze medal in athletics from the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Moreover, Lewis was the first Canadian-born black athlete to stand on an Olympic podium. In 1934, he went on to win a silver medal at the British Empire Games in London, England.

Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Lewis remained heavily involved in the Hamilton sport community throughout his life. In October, he attended the opening reception of the World Road Cycling Championships in Hamilton where he was honoured as Canada's oldest Olympian.

“It was a real honour to know Ray and to spend time with him at the recent world cycling championships in Hamilton,î said Chris Rudge, CEO of the Canadian Olympic Committee. ìHe believed in the value of sport, he constantly gave back to sport, and he was wholly dedicated to sport, right until the end.”

The Canadian Olympic Committee has made a donation to the Alzheimers Society in the memory of this great Olympian.

For Visitation and Funeral information please call Dodsworth & Brown Funeral Home, Hamilton: 905-522-2496