RETIRED veterinary surgeon Michael Lewis died suddenly at his home in Newport on Monday last week, aged 93.
Born in Romford, Essex, on July 2, 1924, he was the second son of a psychiatrist and artist, with the unusual experience of growing up in a mental hospital.
He went to school at Epsom College and then, during the Second World War, as a veterinary student, he served in the Home Guard.
Thrice-married Mr Lewis tied the knot with his first bride, Judy (nee Tyler) in 1945. They had four children.
Before they married, he had a daughter, Julie Hensley.
The couple moved to the Island in 1956 and he set up a veterinary practice in Yarmouth.
Mr Lewis, who practised as a vet for more than 40 years, until retirement, aged 79, went on to specialise in equine matters.
He married Mary (nee Linford) at the IW Register Office in 1981 and they had one child, Monty.
Apart from a brief spell living in France, he lived on the Island until his death.
In his spare time, Mr Lewis, of Quay Street, Newport, was a keen artist, with a focus on producing landscapes of the Island and self-portraits.
He also took part in amateur dramatic productions with The Strolling Players and the West Wight Amateur Dramatics Society, with roles as varied as pantomime villain, New York cabby and eccentric Welsh academic.
His last year of life was tinged with sadness with the loss of his son, Milo, daughter, Julie, and his wife.
Mr Lewis leaves his children, Kevin, Monty, Sue Oldershaw and Jenny Lewis, 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.