Stuart A. Lewis, an innovative and forward thinking Ithaca clothier and commercial real estate agent, mentor to small business owners, and leader in Ithaca's downtown entrepreneurship, died on April 15, 2016 at his home. He was 81. The cause was complications from prostate cancer.
After graduating from Bucknell University in 1956, Mr. Lewis turned down an opportunity to pursue graduate studies at Penn State University to join his father in business, first by expanding the family business when he opened Stuart's Clothiers, Furnishers and Importers in College Town. His long term vision was to grow the business and to put Ithaca on the map as a center for fashion in Upstate New York. He opened a new store in Ithaca every five years, creating a total of six stores. With four stores on the Commons, one in College Town, and one in the Triphammer Mall, Stu developed and lead "Ithaca's Circle of Fashion". He negotiated with the city and was instrumental in the development of the first Business Improvement District (BID) which later became the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA). After many years of leading men's wear retailers throughout the State, Stu was named the NYS Retailer of the Year in 1978. He continued to serve on many boards supporting small privately owned businesses and not for profit organizations throughout his career. On March 14, 2016, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the DIA.
Born in Ithaca on April 28, 1934, Stu attended Belle Sherman Elementary School, Boynton Junior High School, and Ithaca High School. His parents were Irving I. Lewis and Irene Lewis, and he was the younger brother of Sally Lewis. Stu's creative vision led to an era of vibrancy in retail, especially in downtown Ithaca. In the 1970's, Stu convinced city administrators to allow large animals on the Commons for specific events. When he opened the Ralph Lauren "shop within a shop" inside Irv Lewis Men's Wear store, the first of its kind in Upstate New York, he worked with the Cornell Polo Team to create a show with their members on polo horses riding up and down the Commons. Events like that resulted in Ithaca getting national news coverage.
Stu's real passion for family owned business success resulted in a long history of mentorship for other creative, passionate, but otherwise inexperienced entrepreneurs. He worked selflessly to help young people develop business plans, secure bank loans, negotiate leases, and to eventually own their retail space. He also educated and mentored many of Ithaca's city administrative leaders on the history of downtown Ithaca, the positive power of small business ownership, and the value of family owned businesses to cities like Ithaca. After he retired from retail, Stu experienced joy and success in his second professional career as a commercial real estate agent for the past 23 years.
Stu's avocational interests included an abiding love for Cayuga Lake, boating, fishing, and the outdoors. As an "Old School" retailer, he believed that Sundays should be a day off from work. He could be found somewhere on Cayuga Lake every Sunday in one of his boats. When he was not running one of his own power boats up and down Cayuga Lake, he would crew for friends on their sailboats during weekly sailboat races. Because of his love of Cayuga Lake and the Ithaca Farmer's Market, he worked with the city and personally funded the building of the dock that reaches out into the inlet so that boaters could visit the Farmer's Market by motor boat, sailboat, kayak, canoe, or any other water vessel. One of his greatest joys in life after his retirement from being a downtown retailer was to visit the Farmer's Market by boat, and to see the throngs of visitors to the Market each weekend.
Stu Lewis is survived by his loving wife, Ruth Lewis (nee Rosenblum) of 52 years, and his three children, Dr. Jeffrey Lewis (daughter in law Kristin; grandchildren William and Anna), Joanne Chedekel (son in law Gary; granddaughters, Ilissa and Alison), and his son John Lewis (daughter in law Jody; granddaughters Maisy, Jane, and Charlotte).
The funeral will take place at Temple Beth El on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at noon. Following the funeral service, Stu's family will host a post funeral social event at Lakewatch, starting at 3P.M. All Ithacans and visitors who want to celebrate a life well lived are invited to both the Temple Beth El funeral and the post funeral social. In place of flowers, the Lewis family encourages people to donate to Hospicare of Ithaca, the Franziska Racker Centers, Temple Beth El of Ithaca, or a charitable organization of their choice. Bangs Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Post funeral gathering at Lakewatch Inn beginning at 3 PM
SERVICES Funeral Service
Wednesday, April 20, 2016 12:00 PM
Temple Beth-El Court & Tioga St. Ithaca, NY 14850
Post funeral gathering at Lakewatch Inn beginning at 3 PM
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