TRIBUTE BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR GENERAL ON THE PASSING OF MR. RUFUS ADOLPHUS LEWIS, OM
The Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda, His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams, and Her Excellency Lady Williams have learned with deep sadness of the passing of Mr. Rufus Adolphus Lewis, OM, a distinguished son of the soil, a devoted community builder, and a stalwart servant of the nation. Mr. Lewis passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at the age of 94.
Sir Rodney, himself a native of the village of Swetes, recalls Mr. Lewis as a man whose life was inseparably linked to the development, spirit, and wellbeing of that community. The Lewis and Williams families shared close and enduring ties over many decades, rooted in village life, public service, and a shared commitment to the upliftment of others.
Mr. Lewis worked closely with Sir Rodney’s late father, Sir Ernest Emanuel Williams, former Parliamentary Representative for St. Paul’s and Minister of Public Works and Communications. Together, they played a pivotal role in shaping the physical development of Swetes during a formative period, deciding where roads would be laid, where street lighting would be installed, and how water infrastructure would be extended to serve the people. These decisions, made with foresight and a deep understanding of community needs, continue to benefit residents to this day.
A master carpenter by trade, Mr. Lewis served with distinction at the Ministry of Works and supervised numerous government construction projects across Antigua and Barbuda. These included primary schools in Old Road, John Hughes, Cobbs Cross, Liberta, Newfield, Five Islands, and Parham, as well as the All Saints and Freetown Police Stations. His contribution to the nation’s built environment was both wide-ranging and enduring.
Even after formal retirement, Mr. Lewis’ sense of duty never diminished. In his later years, His Excellency approved his continued service as Caretaker of the Swetes Government School, later renamed the Irene B. Williams School, notwithstanding his age. Living directly opposite the school, Mr. Lewis took it upon himself to carry out plumbing, carpentry, and general maintenance, quietly and faithfully, ensuring that the institution remained safe, functional, and welcoming for generations of children.
Mr. Lewis was also a towering figure in the labour movement. He joined the Antigua Trades and Labour Union as a teenager and devoted more than six decades to the cause of workers’ rights. He served as Secretary of the Swetes Section, Shop Steward at the Public Works Department, Chairman of the Union’s Works Committee, and for 22 years on the Union’s Executive, ending his tenure as First Vice President. He also served on the National Labour Board and the National Minimum Wage Committee and represented Antigua and Barbuda at numerous local and international conferences. As a union operative, Mr. Lewis was a fierce and principled advocate for workers, regardless of which government was in office, including during the formative years of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party.
Faith was a central pillar of Mr. Lewis’ life. He was a devout and lifelong member of the Cana Moravian Church, where he served faithfully as an Elder and Steward and contributed significantly to the church’s development, including work on the Christian Education Building and other projects. His life bore consistent testimony to humility, service, and trust in God.
While Cana Moravian was his spiritual home, Mr. Lewis’ commitment to community transcended denominational boundaries. He willingly assisted other ministries and civic initiatives, including supporting the Swetes Men 4 Life initiative when they recently honoured outstanding residents of the village. His presence reflected a lifelong belief in recognising service and uplifting people wherever good work was being done.
Mr. Lewis was also known for his warmth, humanity, and love of cricket, so strong that he named several of his sons after legendary West Indian cricketers. A devoted family man, he was married for 57 years to his beloved wife, Hildred Jerome Lewis, and was the proud father of thirteen children. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family, even establishing a trucking business in his later years, a passion that continues through successive generations.
In recognition of his exceptional contribution to labour relations and national development, Mr. Lewis was awarded The Order of Merit (OM) in 2009, an honour richly deserved.
In paying tribute, His Excellency stated:
“Rufus Lewis was a builder in the truest sense of the word. He built roads and schools, institutions and movements, families and communities. He served Swetes and Antigua and Barbuda with skill, integrity, and deep compassion. His legacy is visible in our infrastructure, our labour history, and in the lives of the many people he mentored and helped. We have lost a giant.”
“Rufus Lewis was a builder in the truest sense of the word. He built roads and schools, institutions and movements, families and communities. He served Swetes and Antigua and Barbuda with skill, integrity, and deep compassion. His legacy is visible in our infrastructure, our labour history, and in the lives of the many people he mentored and helped. We have lost a giant.”
On behalf of Her Excellency Lady Williams, the wider Williams family, and on his own behalf, the Governor General extends sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Lewis family, the people of Swetes, the labour movement, the Cana Moravian Church, and all who mourn the passing of this remarkable Antiguan.
May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his life of service continue to inspire generations to come.
