RIP Dr. Stephen Gray-Lewis "Doc"

[bonafide]

Just learned that Dr. Stephen Gray-Lewis "Doc" passed away from lung cancer. "Doc" was a truly oustanding professor right up there with Russ Jandoli, Malcolm Wallace, Nick Amato, Leo Keenan, etc.. Saint Bonaventure University was truly blessed to have Doc associated with it for over 40 years. As a forrmer student of Doc's I mourn his passing. You had to work hard to get a good grade from Doc but ended up really knowing the subject.

RIP Doc. We'll miss you.

[kcbonnies]

Doc's passing is a true loss. I know this board focuses primarily on Bona hoops, but for those of us who were involved in Garret this is the loss of our hall of famer. Doc was SBU theater in the 70's, 80's and 90's. He gave his life to the Garret Theater players, sitting as he always did in an old green armchair, ash tray by his side during countless hours of rehersals. His classes, when he would perform different passages from Shakespeare, becoming each character were thrilling (though his exams were some of the toughest I ever took including grad school). After every show, he would host a dinner for the cast and their families where he would do all the cooking. His hosue was a home away from home, with a good meal and great company. I understand that in the fall the school will be conducting a tribute to him, hopefully in Garret, though I think the Quick Arts Center would not have happened without him.
Doc, you will be missed. Your passing is a final curtain that sadly should not have fell.

[captainron]

I remember the first time I met Doc vividly. I was a skinny 18-year-old high school senior trying to decide my future. I was visiting SBU and, being keenly interested in the theater program, attended a talk given by Doc in the Campus Ministry. He explained to all of us prospective students what they do, how many shows, the kind of shows, etc. Doc then asked for questions and I tentatively raised my hand. "How big is the theater department?" I asked. Doc leaned forward and said, "You're looking at the theater department." And how true that was.

And nine months and two shows later, I had found a home. The reason why we all cherish the Garret experience was because of Doc. Garret was and still is a family. Whether we would be at Garret or at Doc's house eating an incredible meal and stuffing ourselves until we burst, we were a family (and Tom, we had some great parties in that house, didn't we?). Everytime I meet a Garret alumnus, whether they graduated long before I first set foot on campus or I had left long before they got there, there is an instant bond, stronger than any fraternity or sorority. We may have joined Garret because we loved theater, but by the time we left, we did it because we loved Doc.

I am greatful that Doc was there to share in many happy moments in my life, one of the happiest being my wedding. Our officiant didn't want Doc to do a reading, because he felt it would've been "too much" with three speakers, but there was absolutely no chance in hell I was going to cut Doc. It meant the world to us for him to be a part of the ceremony and seeing him in his element--reading from a Shakespeare sonnet--is something I will cherish for the rest of my life. My only regret is that my son Robby never got to meet "Grandpa Doc."

Doc gave his heart and soul for his kids. It was never about him--it was always about us. Doc never took any bows, although they were much deserved. And knowing that, knowing how much love and care Doc put in, it made all of us try that much harder and be that much better. I'm looking forward to the memorial service this fall. A lot of people I haven't seen in a long time are going to be there and, to be honest, I'm not sure if Garret will hold us all. And I think I know what Doc would say if he could see us:

"Jesus Christ, I've never seen a sorrier-looking bunch of people in my life."

In other words, he'd be quintessential Doc.

[FriendsofAN44]

I never had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Gray-Lewis, sounds like a wonderful person. I thought all would like to read the obituary, it doesn't appear online anywhere, but I copied this from the Times Herald paper (apologies in advance for any typos).....

Dr. Stephen W. Gray-Lewis, 75, associate professor of English and theater at St. Bonaventure University and a resident of Olean for more than 40 years, died of lung cancer on Friday, June 16, 2006.

"Doc," as he was known to his students, came to St. Bonaventure University in 1965 with degrees in English literature and theater from Brown University and the University of Wisconsin. Prior to his academic career, Dr. Gray-Lewis had worked as a translator for US Army intelligence, and as an editor for McGraw-Hill. He also spent time as an aspiring actor in New York City.

Shortly after joining SBU's English department, Dr. Gray-Lewis began directing student theater with a production of "A Man for All Seasons," staged in the upstairs room of the university clubhouse. He continued to direct shows featuring students, faculty, staff and their families until his retirement from SBU in 2003. In all, he staged over 100 productions at St. Bonaventure in the clubhouse, the Reilly Center, Butler Hall, the Quick Center for the Arts, and in Garret Theater, his beloved home away from home.

His many university productions included Shakespeare's Hamlet, Richard III, As You Like It, Romeo and Juliet and The Merchant of Venice; musicals by Gershwin, Porter, Bernstein, and Gilbert and Sullivan; classic plays by Ibsen, Shaw, Pirandello, Sophocles, Miller, Feydeau, Williams and Coward; and challenging contemporary works such as "How I Learned to Drive" and "This Is Our Youth." He was instrumental in preserving theater study and performance at SBU.

During his nearly 40 years at SBU, Dr. Gray-Lewis taught classes in both English and Visual and Performing Arts, including acting, directing, stagecraft, playwriting and theater history. His Shakespeare courses, which included dramatic readings from the lectern of some of the Bard's great soliloquies, were very popular with students. Dr. Gray-Lewis also taught courses in English composition, dramatic literature, and Renaissance literature. He participated in SBU's Oxford program; was a member of the university's Devereux Society; contributed a chapter to a book on teaching gifted children; and he was one of the editors of "Cithara," the scholarly journal.

He served on the original planning committee for the Quick Center for the Arts, and directed the first play produced on the Rigas Family Theater stage, a theater alumni performance of "The Play's the Thing."

In 2000, SBU dedicated the green room of the renovated Garrett Theater in his name, and in 2003, Dr. Gray-Lewis was awarded the first honorary membership given by SBU's chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, the National Theater Honor Society.

In addition to his theater work at SBU, Dr. Gray-Lewis directed plays by Shakespeare and others for the Olean Theater Workshop and appeared on stage in community productions and at the Sterling Renaissance Festival. In the summer of 2005, he directed the popular community production of "Romeo and Juliet" in Olean's Oak Hill Park. He ws preparing to direct the summer production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at the time of his death.

At leisure, Dr. Gray-Lewis was an avid reader of mystery novels, biographies and cookbooks. He was an accomplished cook and often served gouremt meals to friends, students and visiting alumni and their families. He enjoyed traveling to attend theater in New York City, London and wherever his alumni were performing. He was a supporter of the Shaw Festival in Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, WNED-TV and Classical 94.5.

He is survived by a brother, Roderick Gray-Lewis of Florida, several nephews and one niece.

A gathering in memory of Dr. Gray-Lewis will be held in the Fall, and the Theater Workshop's production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" will go on as scheduled and will be dedicated to Dr. Gray-Lewis.

[bonafide]

Are there any details regarding Doc's memorial service (date, time, location)? I would really like to attend.

[captainron]

bonafide said:

Are there any details regarding Doc's memorial service (date, time, location)? I would really like to attend.

No, that's still very much up in the air. We're awaiting word on it. As soon as I know, I'll let you know. I'm sure as hell going up for it. I hate to say it, but I'm looking forward to it, because I'll be seeing a lot of people I haven't seen in years.