Bev Lewis

William Beverley Lewis (August 8, 1906 – November 14, 1972) was a politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a Progressive Conservative member from 1955 to 1967 who represented the riding of Humber.

Background Lewis was born in the County of York to William Walter Lewis and Hannah Thornton, and grew up in Toronto where he attended Harbord Collegiate and Central Technical School.

Politics Lewis was elected as an Alderman in Etobicoke Township in 1951. He served as Reeve of the Township from 1953 to 1956. In 1953, the Province of Ontario passed legislation that created a new level of government to assume many of the functions previously administered by Cities and Townships surrounding the City of Toronto. The Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto, or "Metro" as it was colloquially known, had, as its Council, representatives from 14 communities, including Etobicoke Township, and, as a result, Lewis served as one of the founding members of Metro Council, from 1953 to 1956. As reeve in 1954, he organized relief efforts following Hurricane Hazel. He was re-elected in the general elections in 1959, and 1963, but he was defeated by the Liberal candidate, George Ben, in the 1967 general election.

Lewis served as a backbench member of a succession of PC majority governments led by Premiers Leslie Frost and then John Robarts. During his 12 years in the legislature he participated in various parliamentary committees dealing with energy and the environment.

After leaving provincial politics, Lewis moved to Mara Township on the shores of Lake Simcoe, where he had a cottage. He was elected reeve in 1969 and was successful in having a medical clinic and attracting a doctor to the community of 1,000. He was reeve when he died of a heart attack at 65.