Dr. Michael Remer Lewis
PITTSFORD - Dr. Michael Remer Lewis (77) passed away suddenly on 8/12/23 from sepsis due to a Strep A variant infection. He is a Rochester native (Brighton High ‘64). Michael is survived by his wife of 50 years, Dr. Margaret Smith-Lewis; son, Michael Lewis (Katherine); daughters, Margaret Atwood (Nicholas) and Caroline Palmer (Elliot); and 9 grandchildren, Henry, Millicent, and Mary Louise Lewis, Avalee, Aubrey, Addisyn, and Andersen Atwood, Isabel and Clara Palmer; brothers Peter Lewis and Paul Lewis (Sue); and sister Nancy Gagnon (Andy).
Michael felt called into dentistry to use the gifts he had been given by God both in his daily work and in the community. He was a prominent dentist practicing in Rochester for 50 years after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania Dental School (‘73). The relationships he forged with patients and team were at the heart of his person centered practice, caring about the whole person and their health, as well as their teeth. He was an L.D. Pankey Institute graduate, mentor and advocate of the Pankey Cross of Life (living with a balance of Work, Play, Love, and Worship). He served on the board and was president of AADPA, and was elected to the American College of Dentists and International College of Dentists. In service to his community, he received the Bucknell Service to Humanity Award for his volunteer dentistry in over 10 countries, helped found a dental clinic in the mountains of Nepal, was an instructor at Eastman Institute of Oral Health and was active in the Free Masons, Shrine (board) and Jesters (Director).
Mike was a sports enthusiast and outdoorsman: he was an Eagle Scout, played on the varsity football and lacrosse teams at Bucknell University where he majored in history (‘68), he was a ski patroller (Hunt Hollow), taught Aikido (3rd degree black belt), was Master of Hopper Hills Fox Hunt, and enjoyed river rafting, sailing, golf, and hunting, fishing, x-country skiing, reading, writing and walking on his farm. Above all, he is loved and adored by his family and friends – known as a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, mentor, adventurer, jokester, magic man, story teller, poet and “poppy.”
A Memorial Service will take place at the Shriners Masonic Center, 979 Bay Road, Webster, NY 14580. Visitation will be October 7th from 12-2pm with a service immediately following. To share a memory, send condolences, or make a donation in Michael’s honor, please visit everloved.com/life-of/ dr-michael-lewis/