Dear Family of Mr. Stephen Lewis,

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Stephen Lewis. Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this very difficult time.

I have long admired his remarkable work and unwavering dedication to improving lives, especially among vulnerable communities. As a public health specialist with a strong passion for the health and wellbeing of children and adolescents, I found his contributions truly inspiring and impactful.

His legacy will continue to live on through the countless lives he touched and the meaningful change he championed. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you navigate this profound loss.

With deepest sympathy,

Mwesigwa John (https://www.linkedin.com/in/m…)

Uganda

Today, I join many in mourning the loss of a true Canadian hero, Stephen Lewis.

Serving on the Board of Directors of the Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF), I had the profound privilege of listening to his opening remarks at every meeting moments filled with wisdom, clarity, and unwavering conviction. His passion for social justice, for Canadians, and for communities across Africa and the world, especially those living with and impacted by HIV, was deeply felt in every word he shared.

His legacy is one of courage, compassion, and tireless advocacy. He touched countless lives, including mine, and that impact will endure.

My heartfelt condolences to Ilana Landsberg-Lewis and the entire Lewis family. He will be deeply missed.

— Prof. Josephine Etowa, Former Secretary, SLF Board of Directors.

Subject: Honouring the Legacy of Stephen Lewis

Body:

On behalf of TEPRASM – Tshwarisanang, I, Johannes Baleka, Founder and CEO, extend our deepest respect and gratitude as we join in honouring the life and legacy of Stephen Lewis.

Stephen Lewis was more than a leader; he was a beacon of justice, compassion, and unwavering commitment to humanity. His voice carried the struggles of the marginalized into the halls of power, and his vision continues to inspire movements for equity, dignity, and hope across the globe.

At TEPRASM, we recognize his profound influence on shaping the discourse around poverty, health, and human rights. His example strengthens our resolve to advance climate‑resilient food security and circular economy solutions that echo his lifelong dedication to building a fairer world.

As we gather at The Creative School Chrysalis on Sunday, April 26, 2026, we celebrate not only his remarkable contributions but also the enduring spirit of Ubuntu that he embodied. May his memory remain a guiding light for generations to come.

With humility and solidarity,

Johannes Baleka

Founder & CEO, TEPRASM – Tshwarisanang

To have met Stephen was to realize that there are human beings and there are superhuman beings. But best of all, there are humans who care! Meeting Stephen in university helped to shape my future life. Rochelle and I surround you with our heartfelt thoughts, Michelle 

Bill Tepperman 

I first met Stephen in Washington, D.C. where I was working with the Catholic Peace Fellowship concentrating my efforts around the Nigerian Civil War - the succession of the Biafra Republic. This was a passionate concern of Stephen’s and we bonded over advocacy for the people of Biafra.  The funds I raised in the US to support Biafran relief were sent to OXFAM Canada and its Biafran subsidiary Canairelief.  When they were looking for a new Executive Director to run Canairelief Stephen suggested to OXFAM that I would be an ideal candidate and after interviews I moved to Toronto to run their relief efforts.  So thanks to Stephen I eventually became a Canadian citizen and our family has lived in Canada ever since.  

I fondly remember when he introduced me to one of his favourite dining haunts, the Three Small Rooms.  This is where I gained so many insights into his political philosophy, geopolitics, Ontario politics and the role of the emerging neoliberal world we now live in.  I also gained a deeper understanding of the civil war in Nigeria and the nuances of that conflict that only an intellect like Stephen’s could unearth.  

So thank you Stephen, we all have our fond memories but I owe you so much more than just memories.

To family, my words of tribute posted  Mar 31.

It’s very hard to write today. From the excitement and joy on Sunday of being in Winnipeg for the election of Avi Lewis as the new leader of the federal NDP to the deep, heart wrenching sadness of today with the loss of his Dad, Stephen Lewis. All my love and thoughts are with Michelle, Avi, Ilana and Jenny, his siblings, Janet, Nina and Michael and all members of the extraordinary Lewis family.

There are so many of us who were fortunate and privileged to know Stephen, be inspired by him, and be witnesses to a legacy, without equal, in trying to make the world a better place. His was the heart of a lion, his courage and caring evident in equal measure, driven by a passion to right the terrible wrongs of the world and a legendary impatience to light the fires and fan the flames of change.

Stephen loved words and used his great gift of oratory to move hearts and minds, and to push, persuade, condemn, celebrate and lift up. A dear friend shared a story today of hearing Stephen deliver a particular speech… describing it as brilliant, edifying and moving. She wrote, “I eagerly awaited a copy of the Proceedings which duly arrived some months later. The speech had been ‘substantially edited for brevity and clarity’. The music was gone.” That’s how this moment feels.

It’s hard to imagine waking up to a world without Stephen in it. I listened again to Stephen’s eulogy to Jack Layton and was reminded of his profound love and admiration for the many warriors fighting for change and justice in our movement, our country and around the world.

He journeys now with our love, our admiration and in his honour, our promise to never quit on that struggle and to strive to be our very best selves. Rest now Stephen with our gratitude for the ‘music’ and all of it.