7 years ago
Arthur Jarman
Gary Lewis was my good friend and colleague. I appointed and reappointed him many times until to my great relief we were able to keep him on the permanent staff of the then Membership and Communications Department. He was brilliant in his work and his comradeship. He never ever let the Union down. He told terrible jokes with an impish grin. He never failed to deliver of his best. Whenever there was a problem to solve, an impossible difficulty to overcome, a difficult task to undertake - Gary was there to take it on. He was a grafter, with the ability to innovate and use his own initiative. He was tough and courageous and working with him was always a joy and enormous fun.
Gary was much loved in M&C; when he shared an office with Grace Brookeman the corridor was often filled with laughter as he teased her and she rebuked him. I remember those sounds well. In a happy and hard working department Gary was a model of hard work and team spirit.
Gary's contribution to the work of the National Union of Teachers was as diverse as it was immense. Demonstrations, marches, celebratory events, dinners, parliamentary lobbies, exhibitions, concerts, and nationally organised strikes do not just happen. They require huge powers of organisation, coordination, administration, negotiation and innovation. Gary could work with every Department of the Union and with outside bodies and contractors to deliver success for the Union in all the many facets of the Union's work. Presidents and General Secretaries owed a great deal to Gary Lewis.
I was fortunate to work with Gary at many places out of London. At the TUC and the Political Party Conferences, at education and local government conferences and even in Brussels for the culmination of the Kick Racism out of Football school competition, Gary was at the heart of the The Union's contribution. I was lucky enough to enjoy his company at such events and, out of work, at international rugby matches in Cardiff and in Paris..
Even when he was very ill, Gary showed friendship and great courage and spirit. Gary's loss is a tragedy for his family and for us all. We will all miss him dreadfully. We are all better people for having known him.
£50.00 (+ £12.50 Gift Aid)
