Category Archives: Tribute to Trevor

As I thought about what I might share today to comfort and encourage Trevor’s family and each of us who have come here today, I couldn’t help but think of a book in our church library entitled What is a Family? by Edith Shaeffer.

In her book she gives some wise, wonderful and meaningful answers to this question.

A family is …

A door that has hinges and a lock
A birthplace of creativity
A place where truth is passed along
A museum of memories

I’m quite sure that Trevor’s family would definitely agree that this has been their experience as a family—their family has been filled with creativity and truth—their family will always have and will continue to build a museum of memories.

But the phrase that captured my attention the most is this one.

What is a family? A family is… A shelter in the time of storm!

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It was a year ago yesterday that the Toronto Maple Leafs’ diehard fan — Trevor (T-Man) Lewis — went early to his grave, and it is therefore almost fitting that a lockout has virtually ensured no NHL hockey will be played in the first full season since his passing.

“With Trevor gone, it would have been impossible to watch the Leafs play this year anyway,” his mother said, “With no hockey, it’s as if the Leafs and the league are mourning him too. At least that’s what I tell myself.”

Each day, without failure, Sandra Lewis dons her Maple Leaf jersey and makes the short trip to Pine Hills Cemetery to visit her son’s grave — even if only for a minute to two. “It gives me comfort,” she said. “It makes me feel better.”

Last Saturday at 10:25 a.m. — one year to the day and to the minute that Trevor Lewis died at the age of 19, a memorial service was held at his graveside, with some 50 people in attendance, with everyone wearing a Maple Leaf jersey.

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When the post-mortem of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ home opener against the Ottawa Senators was being conducted, hockey scribes hung most of the goat horns on Tie Domi for coughing up the puck on a “weak clear,” thereby allowing Sens’ captain Daniel Alfredsson to tie the game with only 62 seconds remaining. Overtime came up fallow, and then a shootout. The Leafs lose their first of the long-awaited season.

As the Air Canada Centre emptied, two sisters in wheelchairs—both quadriplegics—were waiting outside the Leafs’ dressing room, the oldest to meet her hockey hero. She wore a replica of his jersey on her back. Number 28. Tie Domi had promised he would be there. And he was.

“He was awesome,” said 20-year-old Shannon Deering. “He thanked us for coming. He signed our sweaters. He gave us autographed pictures. LINDROS CAME TOO.” And he brought Eric Lindros—the same Eric Lindros who had given the Leafs the lead late in the game, seconds before Tie Domi’s “weak clear” made it all for naught.
Autographed pucks all around.

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Sandra Lewis went to the grave Wednesday morning where her son lies buried in his Tie Domi hockey jersey, first to dust the freshly fallen snow from the flowers, and then to plant a Toronto Maple Leaf flag next to the temporary marker that bears her son’s nickname. Trevor Lewis—the beneficiary of two heart transplants, now dead at the age of 19—loved to be called T-man.

The pallbearers at his funeral last week all wore Maple Leaf hockey jerseys, and each will soon have T-man emblazoned on the back, along with the number 84, for the year in which their young friend was born.

The pastor at the Bendale Bible Chapel wore a Maple Leaf jersey, too, as did the majority of the mourners who packed the small church a week ago Tuesday where Trevor Lewis’ casket was draped in a Maple Leaf banner.

“At the cemetery, it was a sea of blue and white,” said his mother. “There were 45 cars in the procession. It was unbelievable, and so very, very touching.”

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By Mary Stevenson

One night a man had a dream.

He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.

For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one
belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand.

He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints.

He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it.

“Lord, You said that once I decided to follow you, You’d walk with me all the way.

But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints.

I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.”

The Lord replied,

“My son, My precious child, I love you and I would never leave you.

During your times of trial and suffering,

when you see only one set of footprints,

it was then that I Carried You.”

If so desired, in Trevor’s memory, donations can be made to the Children’s Wish Foundation

The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada is a federally chartered, non-profit organization dedicated to fulfilling a favorite wish for children afflicted with a high risk, life-threatening illness.

The Foundation has been responsible for bringing a special moment of joy into the lives of many children since its inception in 1984. Each wish is an individual adventure, carefully structured to meet the needs of that particular child.

Arranging a trip to some far away destination, providing a customized computer for the child with special needs, tracking down a favorite celebrity, or simply finding exactly the right puppy, all are given equal care and consideration.

Children are eligible from 3 years of age and over but under the age of 18 years before the time the request is received. They must be legal residents of Canada and have an illness, which is categorized as a high risk, life-threatening condition.

The sadness falls over everyone
Loving parents have lost their son

They wanted so much to have him live
To laugh and play … so much to give

But alas, it couldn’t be this time
’Tho he hadn’t even reached his prime

God had chosen this brave young man
As part of his unique life’s plan

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Because he was a fighter, as in a fighter for life over an odds-on death, and because he was the hardest of a diehard Toronto Maple Leaf fan, 19-year-old Trevor Lewis will be buried Tuesday in his cherished Tie Domi jersey.

When his casket is wheeled down the aisle of Scarborough’s Bendale Bible Chapel, it will be draped with the blue-and-white Maple Leaf banner, and the pallbearers walking alongside will all be wearing Maple Leaf jerseys.

And if his parents’ wishes come true, every mourner in the chapel will forsake the formality of shirt and tie, or blouse and skirt, to wear Maple Leaf jerseys as well.

“It is what he would have wanted,” his mother, Sandy Lewis, said yesterday. “Trevor was the truest of true Maple Leaf fans, and a true fighter as well.”

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Trevor was such an amazing person. He touched the lives of many people, and will forever be considered a Hero. No matter how ill he felt, and no matter how tough things were getting, Trev always had a smile on his face.

He missed so much school because he was sick, but he always wanted so badly to get back to school as soon as possible and see his friends. What a bright attitude for such a young person. My memories of him will always be positive ones… he has inspired me to always look at the positive side in life, and live each day to the fullest. Hard to believe that its almost been two years, it seems like just yesterday I saw his smiling face. He was too young to leave us, but a perfect Angel was needed up above, and Heaven recieved him.

Love you Always Trev
-Your cousin, Lindsey Lewis

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A great and wonderful man.
Beauty, strength,
joy, compassion, courage,
humour, smiles, and
above all Love.
These were the gifts
we all were given.
A determination to be
kind, thoughtful and caring
with all things in life.
A true heart of Gold.
Let us all remember.