Don Lewis obituary

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/feb/05/don-lewis-obituary

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My father, Don Lewis, who has died aged 99, was a lifelong Liberal, who, in the 1970s, stood for Wolverhampton council in a safe Labour ward, Wednesfield Heath, and polled quite respectably.

Recently, he and my mother, Kathleen, were recognised for their support and commitment by being made honorary presidents of the local Lib Dem party.

Don was born in Willenhall, near Wolverhampton, the son of Francis, an iron pourer, and his wife, Maud (nee Thompson). Financial constraints meant that Don could not go on to higher education and he qualified instead as a chartered accountant. He was greatly respected by his clients, many of whom were too impoverished to settle their bills with cash. The payments in potatoes and home-made barley wine particularly irked Kathleen (nee Hibell), whom he married in 1952. However, Don continued working part-time until around the age of 80 and supported both of his children through university.

He never drove a car but had, at one time, a BSA motorbike, which, legend has it, he serviced himself and then had to sell as there were some parts “left over”. Although he was not too skilled with his hands, he had a fantastic brain and a memory for facts and sporting records which meant that his younger colleagues treated him as the ultimate reference source to resolve all quiz questions. He was still winning quizzes in his final year.

He imbued his children with a love of Shakespeare and an appreciation of Mozart and of jazz, and taught us to respect people of every race and religion. He also loved Burnley FC.

He read the News Chronicle until its last edition in 1960, and then took to the Guardian, a habit that he passed on to his son and grandson.

Kathleen died last year. Don is survived by my sister, Deborah, and me, and four grandchildren, Bryony, Natasha, Duncan and Helen.