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A man who devoted most of his life to the well-being of Victoria College, Mr Frank Lewis, died this morning at the age of 83.
He had been staying with his daughter Janet and her family in Derbyshire.
Until he retired in 1979, Mr Lewis' title at the college was head porter, but this description could never reflect his devotion to the school, its staff and its pupils., which was recognised by the award of the British Empire Medal. Even in retirement, he was often to be found at the college, keeping an eye on things.
Deputy Headmaster Brian Vibert described him as "a man who absolutely devoted his life to Victoria College, really to the exclusion of everything else".
"He lived for the college. It was the dearest love of his life, and he was so proud of everything which happened there. The old boys were his boys and their successes were his successes. This was Frank, and even in these last years, when he's been on the fringe, he's kept a lively interest in what's been going on," he said.
Francis Edward Lewis was born in St Helier in September 1907. He was placed in the care of the Girls' Home at Grouville and later moved to the Jersey Home for Boys at Faldouet, which later became Haut de la Garenne Children's Home.
At the age of 16, he went to live with an aunt at Havre de Pas, and obtained an apprenticeship with Bigwoods Printers, where he learnt every aspect of the trade, including the art of book-binding. He spent the next 20 years as a printer, but in 1942, when there was little work available, he heard of the vacancy for a porter.
Mr Lewis beat 60 other applicants for the job, and shortly afterwards found himself on hands and knees scrubbing the hall floor.
The clean up was to allow the school to re-open because the Germans had stopped using it, although they were still at College House.
Mr Lewis spent the next 37 years in a unique role, becoming almost like a father to the pupils and a character remembered by all.
It was one reason why his face, along with several others, has been depicted in a granite mould as port of the refurbishment of the building.
Mr Lewis has little time for hobbies while at the College, but earlier on in life, he was particularly keen on diving and represented the Island in inter-insular competitions for four years.
He leaves a widow, Louis-Grace, a son, Gordon, daughter Janet, and a number of grandchildren. To them and other members of the family, the JEP extends sympathy.