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BARRY LEWIS Obituary

LEWIS--Barry S. Barry S. Lewis, age 75, died on January 12, 2021. He was an architectural historian, author and lecturer. A lifelong resident of Queens, he was the quintessential New Yorker. He co-hosted the acclaimed PBS series Walking Tours of New York with David Hartman from 1998-2004. Renowned lecturer at Cooper Union, NY Historical Society and NYSID. His award winning work was recognized by the Landmarks Preservation Society and NYCAIA. He is survived by his brother Jeffrey Lewis and family. He is deeply mourned by his many friends, colleagues and fans.

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Published by New York Times on Jan. 30, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for BARRY LEWIS

49 Entries

ken sacharin

January 24, 2024

I will always remember Barry Lewis as the only person who could open the doors of the past and allow us a glimpse. What a scholar and showman! We will not see his likes again. I miss him.

Maurice Rodriguez

January 24, 2023

I will always hold the memory of Barry in my heart. He was one of the interesting and knowledgeable individuals I have ever know. I am very thankful he shared that knowledge with all his friends.

Mike Lopez

February 3, 2022

Sympathy's to the family. I knew Barry from store on Jamaica Avenue where I use to work as a teenager. Barry was a kind man and was some one I look up to. He will be missed.

Debra Fisher

January 24, 2022

Barry! It´s been one year! No surprise that you are so missed! We could have used your brilliant mind as you shared about NYC, but due to COVID, virtually. The world was always a better place with you in it. Not fair to have lost you so soon!
Cherish the times we attended your lectures at NYHS.

Larry Russell

January 24, 2022

He was everything written about him but he was also one of my best friends since 1968. And when hes a best friend to you you know it! He was always there for me and I was always there for him. I will miss him always. I just hope that his family and close friends are holding up OK. For me, it's hard to accept that there is a world without Barry.

David K.

June 5, 2021

I just discovered this page in June 2021. I met Barry through the Church in the Gardens pool, and we became friends before I realized he was the "guy on TV" walking tours. We talked and spent much time at the pool and went out to a few dinners including a NYC jazz club and a restaurant near my then residence in Guttenberg, NJ. I was saddened to see his obit in January.

James Kaplan

April 7, 2021

He was a fabulous inspiration as the squad leader of the New York City walking tour guides. Ever since I took his City Transformed and tour guide training course at the Municipal Art Society in 1979 he imparted an infectious love for the City its architecture and its history. He greatly influenced my later career as a walking tour guide for the Fraunces Tavern Museum, the American Museum of Finance, Culture Now and other institutions. his influence on the walking tour industry is incalculable.

James S. Kaplan, Co-founder and five year President of the Lower Manhattan Historical Association

Kathleen Sheedy

March 7, 2021

I loved watching his walking tour programs. His passion for history , architecture, art, and life cheered my soul as well as improved my mind. I felt re-energized after a dose of Barry enthusiasm and his zest for life. He definitely made the world a better and interesting place. Sending sympathy, appreciation and gratitude - Kathleen Sheedy
He will always be missed;

Susan Visconti

February 25, 2021

I am so very sad to learn of Mr. Lewis' recent untimely passing....Isuch an animated speaker who put such life into whatever subject he was speaking of.....the world lost a great historian and storyteller....my condolences to his family, friends and fans such as myself.....Godspeed and enjoy exploring the wonders of the cityscape of Heaven!!!

Rohini Upadhyay

February 18, 2021

Barry Lewis was my professor at New York School Of Interior Design and I loved his history classes, I loved how he taught, because he had endless knowledge and passion. I am so so grateful, and I will pass on what he taught me to my children. Rest in Peace.

Drea

February 17, 2021

I saw 2 of Barry's history presentations on Cspan this evening (2/17/2021). He was so dynamic, knowledgeable, interesting, and entertaining. I am sorry that I never had the chance to personally attend any of his walking tours or presentations. I plan to seek out and view as many of his lectures as I can find.
I extend my condolences to Barry's family. May he rest in peace.

Estelle Haferling

February 17, 2021

February 17, 2021

Oh my, why so late to send a note? Well, Barry will appreciate this. I had gotten my first Covid-19 vaccine on Friday, January 29, 2021 and was having a bit of a reaction, meaning I was sore and exhausted. And so I did not read through The NY Times Sunday edition of January 31, 2021 where there was a death notice and a picture of Barry.
But, I had saved the paper(s) in approximate dates. And so it was that I came first to the edition for February 4, 2021 and there was this bold headlined six columned obituary and two pictures of Barry Lewis, my friend and former teacher. And I could locate the January 31st edition actually quite easily. Barry knew about my archival predilections and would remind me that “it’s all online.” True, But I was glad that I could hold the paper and touch Barry.
I was stunned. I had talked to him recently. We were wondering when we would get to have dinner after a play - we went to the Saturday matinee of revived musicals at City Center. (Look up, really look up at the ceiling)). We had not seen each other for quite some time as the pandemic had broken through to reality and we did not know when we could safely fly. It might not be quite a while.

But we could still tell stories and crack each other up on the phone or through emails. We knew that we were fortunate to have had an aunt and/or uncle who would take us to cultural events way back when we were kids, he in Queens and I In Brooklyn and we journeyed (separately) in to “the City.”

Some of our best times together were in the various forms of city diners. The food sometimes surpassed the fancy food places and it also could be more comfortable to sit there.

And I will miss asking him what the new age was like as he got there before I did by a few months.

I send my sympathies to his family. He was so very special and I treasured him.

Estelle Haferling
NYC

Lynne Saginaw, ARRT

February 11, 2021

I admired Barry Lewis greatly, for his knowledge and warmth.

David Schrader

February 9, 2021

Barry's engaging candor and enthusiasm hooked me when I took his course at Cooper Union in the 1990s. His lectures at New-York Historical Society were consistently great and filled with observations and details. When I was working on the restoration of the New Amsterdam Theatre on 42nd Street, I invited Barry to come and take a look before we opened to the public. He was gleeful touring the space and put the theatre's history in context. It was an amazing adventure and I'll always remember having that time with him.

Marsha Cohen

February 3, 2021

Barry was simply the best tour guide in New York. I used to love going on his tours which would start out with about 20 paying customers and by the time the tour would be over, there would be twice that number following him around the streets and hanging on his every word. He seemed to know everything and everyone, as if he had a personal relationship with every historical figure in NY. What a gift. And what a loss.

Joyce Mendelsohn

February 3, 2021

Barry was always the most knowledgeable of our group of historian-friends. As well just simply a wonderful person to have known. He will be greatly missed.

Thomas Ryan

February 2, 2021

I took his course at Cooper Union three times in three different decades and he was one of the greatest teachers I’ve ever had. I invited friends to his class in the Fall of 2019 and they loved it as well. We were deeply disappointed that the pandemic cancelled his course in Spring 2020 and I reached out to him via email and his response was so modest and kind. He was one-of-a- kind!

Justin Ferate

February 2, 2021

Barry and I go back to the early 1980s, from his days at the 92nd Street Y and the Municipal Art Society. Later, I had the pleasure of bringing him to Cooper Union to continue his classes. Barry was energetic, enthusiastic, vital, and ever informative. From personal, often-daily experience in working with him, I can attest that Barry had a lasting impact on hundreds and hundreds of New Yorkers. Countless lovers of New York City will mourn his loss. May his memory be a blessing!

Marcia

February 2, 2021

Friendly, mnoe
Friendly, knowledgeable excellent historian. Enjoyed speaking to him. Community oriented. NEVER FORGOT HIS ROOTS

Robert Arthur King

February 2, 2021

Barry and I taught at the New York School of Interior Design in the 1990's and became good friends and talk about architectural history many times. He was kind enough to do the forward for my book 'Figures in Stone' a few years ago and he captured my feelings on architectural details on buildings, I will miss him very much, he was a great person.

Ellen Sax

February 2, 2021

So sad to hear that Barry is no longer with us. What a talent he was! Captivated and charmed audiences with his breadth of knowledge and marvelous sense of humor. I used to hire Barry often as a lecturer and tour leader for corporate groups visiting New York.
I feel fortunate to have known Barry. He was a dear guy, very warm, smart, funny, honest and a New Yorker through and through.
Ellen Sax

Janice McQuade

February 2, 2021

So sad to here of Barry Lewis passing. I was a student of his many years ago at Cooper Union for his Classes in the evening on Architecture of NYC. He was so informative and so pleasant to hear and talk to. I also attended many of his lectures. He taught me so much about NYC. He will be greatly missed. My sympathies to his family. He was a lovely person.

jane chirurg

February 2, 2021

He was my favorite lecturer. Couldn't get over how he would give a complex creative lecture and yet stop on a dime when it was over. I was an Art History major at Wellesley. Wish he had been my prof.

Larry Russell

February 1, 2021

Barry, we were supposed to meet at the diner when you returned to New York next Fall!
Damn!

Since 1968, I have always thought of you as a brother.
We had so memories working at The Conspiracy, hanging at The Fillmore and at rock concerts in Queens, watching Joe Cocker, The Dead and The Who.

Those were great days and I now only have memories to prove they existed. And they did. I have a smile on my face as evidence.

Anyone who knows you knew that you were soooo easy to talk to, especially on the phone. Hours would fly by with ease.

In my life I've been lucky.
But to have a friend like you since the late 60s was and is a very lucky thing, and a privilege, mainly because you knew how to be a friend.

Sail on Barry and I will see you when I see you. But not yet....

Love Larry

Francene Turken Weingast

February 1, 2021

When I moved to NYC 40+ years ago, I took a Cast Iron walking tour and was fortunate to have Barry as my guide. I followed him all over New York after that. We became friends that ate together, danced together, explored together and ate some more together. He was so full of life that I can't believe he is gone. He was truly extraordinary. Such a loss.

Maurice

February 1, 2021

I will miss stopping Barry around Kew Gardens to say hello. He will always regale me with wonderful stories about the city or any other topic as he was wonderfully knowledgeable. So sad to see him gone. You will always be remembered my friend.

Shelley Williams

February 1, 2021

While Barry was in San Diego we e-mailed and phoned one another. Always had a good laugh. He had one-of-a-kind humor. We go way back to when we were in New York. Time flies. I will always remember Barry with a smile on my face. He holds a special place in my heart.

Aron Williams

February 1, 2021

I am blessed to have known Barry. Fifty years ago we partnered to open a clothing store on 62nd Street & Second Avenue (Williams Lewis & Furst). Barry is one of the nicest, good-hearted people I’ve ever met. And boy... when he laughed - he laughed. I can picture him now eating a croissant. We recently spoke on the holidays and I will always think of him fondly

Ken Sacharin

February 1, 2021

So sad. He was the greatest of historians of NYC. Because...he did not lecture, he told stories. Listening to him, I could imagine myself as a time traveler to the NYC of centuries ago. He was, hands down, the best lecturer on the NY Historical Society circuit. His courses at Cooper Union were magnificent. Even in small things, he was exceptional. He was the only person I've known who used powerpoint the right way--to illustrate points with pictures...not text. And what an entertainer he was! An erudite, fascinating man. The world has suffered a great loss.

elayne dix

February 1, 2021

Barry was a one of a kind, steeped in knowledge which he generously shared with millions. I often saw him in Kew Gardens and we smiled hello and sometimes spoke. His book is a love tribute to Kew Gardens. His tours are a treasure for the perspectives on the interesting, the weird and the wonderful in so many of our neighborhoods. One could touch the stone and smell the old polished wood, and also watched the residents as they kept house, sang in a congregation or exchanged money for goods. His notations and observations will live on and help us all to remember and understand our past, and present.

SYLVIA HACK

January 31, 2021

Barry Lewis was unique. It was fun and an honor to work with Barry as he wrote the book: Kew Gardens: Urban Village in the Big City. everyone who met Barry was touched by him. He was a friend, and an asset to the human race. He was truly inimitable, and I and so many others will miss him. Sylvia hack

Martin Hack

January 31, 2021

I remember many dinners and breakfasts at our home, where Barry was the most amazing guest, full of stories, jokes and esoterica, with the tastes of a gourmet.
I had the opportunity of designing the format of the book he wrote about Kew Gardens, and was involved in its publication.
I also helped Barry get his huge slide collection in order, and those of you who attended his talks and walks will know how chock full of images they were.
He was one in a million, and we surely need more!

Josh Kwassman

January 31, 2021

I was very lucky to work with Barry on his last public appearance, an event for the New Amsterdam History Center talking about the lingering Dutch influence in New York City. During our many video calls, Barry was generous with his time and spirit, and shared a lot of wonderful stories about his days in Paris many years ago. He loved to swim in San Diego and sent me photos of a well-designed public pool structure. His kindness and great sense of humor stuck with me and I’m sad I won’t be able to chat with him again.

Judy Bowman

January 31, 2021

Wonderful friend. Always optimistic and fun to be with. I will miss him deeply.

Greg Brancato

January 31, 2021

I had the great fortune of getting to know Barry as we celebrated his birthday each year on July 4. He was gregarious, worldly and knowledgeable. He was always the life of the party and will be deeply missed by all that got to know him. Greg Brancato

Greg Brancato

January 31, 2021

Linda Thomas

January 31, 2021

May God bless you and give you hope during this sad time. Please accept my sincere condolences, I am so sorry for your loss.

Dawn Hewins Kelly

January 31, 2021

He was the best, bar non, of the lecturers at The New York History Society! I Never missed his lectures (which were always sold out). I hope they recorded them all. He was incredible to listen to and watch. He loved NYC and he was it’s best ambassador! One of a kind he was!!

Debra Fisher

January 31, 2021

What a fabulous historian and all about New York mensch!! My wife and I were fortunate enough to catch his lectures several times at NY HISTORICAL SOCIETY. His democratic approach to living, learning and sharing made our time in NYC that much more fun. RIP BARRY LEWIS. We shall miss you and think of you as we walk the street of our beloved NYC, admiring the beauty and history you introduced us too.

Diane Ganz

January 30, 2021

So sorry to hear of Barry’s passing. A true scholar and a gentleman. Rest In Peace and may your memory be for a blessing. We were kids together and lived in the same apartment building.
Diane Ganz

Danette Wilson

January 30, 2021

I will so miss hanging out with him, listening to his wonderful stories and laughing about his adventures. He truly enjoyed life.

Bruno Buium

January 30, 2021

Barry Lewis,was my neighbor and I knew him for a long long time.I enjoyed very much his company and his endless knowledge. So sad I'm that he gone, rest in peace my friend. You will be missed here in kew Gardens alot.

Joan S. Morgan

January 30, 2021

We loved all of Barry's shows on PBS. We looked forward to all of them. He was a smart man. They were so informative. My condolences to his family.

Linda Fisher

January 30, 2021

I was so fortunate to have taken his courses, listened to his lectures and gone on his walks. He was such a mensch and loved everything Queens, and taught me to as well.

Catherine Perebinossoff

January 30, 2021

Barry was true blue and very, very funny...A keen mind who spoke with a keen mind. One of a kind...A rare gem.

Ilana

January 30, 2021

In loving memory of a wonderful teacher and great lecturer. May his memory be a blessing.

Lana Bortolot

January 30, 2021

I took two semesters of Mr. Lewis’s NYC architectural history course at Cooper Union. He was an enlightened and energetic lecturer who informed my view of the city.

Lana Bortolot

January 30, 2021

I took two semesters of Mr. Lewis’s NYC architectural history course at Cooper Union. He was an enlightened and energetic lecturer who informed my view of the city.

Rachel Dahill- Fuchel

January 30, 2021

His lectures were the richest, fastest paced, most fascinating. He will indeed be missed. May his memory be a blessing

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