Jerome Stephen Lew
elevated l59vt Visitation to be held on Friday, December 6, 2019 from 4-8 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home, 211 Langstaff Road East
elevated l59vt Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 10:45 a.m. in the Chapel of St. Joseph of the funeral home.
elevated l59vt April 10, 1970 – November 25, 2019
elevated l59vt Jerome “Jeromeo” Stephen Lew, 49, of Markham, Ontario, Passed away peacefully after a 2-year fight with cancer.
elevated l59vt Born in Kingston, Jamaica, to Gerald and Barbara Lew, Jerome immigrated to Canada with his family when he was 5 years old.
elevated l59vt Jerome studied business at Western University, but he put his future business degree to good use before graduation. In 1991, Jerome and best-friend-forever Steve Lim opened their first business SignWaves, which eventually became Signs2Go.
elevated l59vt The two soon became part of the Rapid Photo family, combining their love of technology and photography. For more than 20 years, Jerome proudly ran both businesses in Malvern Town Centre, before closing everything in 2015 to deal with his health.
elevated l59vt In 2016, he joined the EZ Passport family, of which he will always be a part of.
elevated l59vt Loving son, devoted brother, doting uncle and amazing friend-cum-pseudo brother to many, Jerome was always the “puniest” person in the room. Rare was there a conversation with Jerome that didn’t involve word play. Usually delivered with a twinkle in his eye, his quick way with words was legendary. In fact, Jerome’s friends wondered how often he stayed awake at night, just to think up and add to, his ever-growing arsenal of linguistic idioms.
elevated l59vt His love of puns could only be rivalled by his love of food, specifically chicken, with Ketchup being a close second. Jerome was every home cook’s dream because he always ate well and with gusto. And in the last few years, he learned to make simple and home cooked meals.
elevated l59vt Jerome enjoyed life’s simple pleasures: a comfy couch, a new episode of Magnum PI or Charmed, and a bowl of microwaved popcorn, were all he needed to be happy.
elevated l59vt Easy-going and fun to be around, the children in his life loved to play with Uncle “Rome”. He never hesitated to run around, get silly or sit down for a board game. In fact, we have it on good authority that Uncle Rome once wore a fairy crown and waved a star wand, just to get some giggles. Some suspected this may have been due to his immaturity, but most believed this was because he had a big, happy and innocent heart.
elevated l59vt Jerome liked to walk on the sunny side of the street. Ever-optimistic, he always saw the best in people. He was also understanding and forgiving. Anybody who ever had a disagreement with Jerome would know that everything would be water under the bridge the next day.
elevated l59vt Some may be surprised to learn that Jerome was a big softie. Sad movie scenes, such as the death of Mufasa in The Lion King, and even not-so-sad scenes, such as the entirety of Aladdin, would bring tears to his eyes. He was a sensitive soul who lived with his heart on his sleeve.
elevated l59vt Generous in spirit, Jerome never hesitated to lend a helping hand. Needed some muscle to move? Jerome was there. A special VIP visit with Santa for your Kid? Jerome was there. Desperately looking for an event photographer? Jerome was there. He was there when you needed him. Always.
elevated l59vt Jerome leaves behind his father Gerald, his step-mother Yvonne, his sister Andrea (Anthony), his nephews Aaron and Joey. He is also survived by Auntie Gloria Lew, Auntie Evie Wilson, (Uncle Gordy), cousins and second cousins, David Wilson, Amaya, Gabe, Coral Wilson (Waddah), Saral Wilson (David), and Mike Low (Gloria), Adam and Hillary.
elevated l59vt The world is a little emptier because one Jerome “Jeromeo” Stephen Lew is no longer with us. But heaven will be a little punnier because of him.
elevated l59vt We miss you.
elevated l59vt
Our deepest condolences to the Lee family and all who knew him. Wonderful person
Well said and true, he was so sincere, helpful and dependable.
Rest in peace my friend. So happy and lucky to speak with you in the summer while you were still able to come out and visit people. My thought and prayers are with your family at this time.
We’re sad to say goodbye to our wonderful, loving, capable cousin. Condolences to his family and friends, and a heartfelt thanks to those who were so helpful to him in his last years. Love, Shelly, Slobo and Ivan
Our hearts are sad, but our memories are happy and our lives are definitely richer for having had Jerome as part of them. We miss him terribly and send our best wishes to family and friends.
Love,
Terry, Jacqueline and Clare Gabrielle
I’ll always remember Jerome by his humour, laughter, and smile. 2 Chinese Jamaicans living in Unionville. Lost Boys in our neighbourhood with friends from John 23rd Elementary. His mom’s Jamaican delights every time we visited him. Asian hackers on our Apple IIe. And the many CCA picnics, dances, & Caribanas we attended. But most of all, ALL the family and friends he made over a lifetime. The few days I spent with Jerome brought back so many good memories. You will be dearly missed my friend. Live in peace and happiness.
I remember Jerome on the first day of class in grade 9 at saint Robert’s Catholic High School. “Can I borrow a pen?” I asked him.
“De-Penssss” he answered.
Jerome loved puns even then, and his adroitness with them matched his easygoing nature and his remarkable academic achievements. The world is a little sadder without you in it, Jerome, and Heaven will be brighter with laughter.
Mark Chang, a name from the not too distant past!
Long time mi nuh see yuh, Yardie! Wah gwaan?
My cousin Mike Low from Ottawa been askin fuh yuh. I told him I hadn’t seen you for awhile.
Remember the last time we bounced up at the festival Night It Up! in Markham was the last time I saw you.
It will be the last time for now when we say goodbye to Jerome we will meet again.
Let’s keep in touch! Here is my cell #905-944-1547.
Jerome was Christmas all year round. His smile lit up the room. He was the glue that kept us all in focus. Jerome was an angel in our midst.
His spirit will live on. We will always need Jerome. There is no one to take his place. He will live on forever in our hearts.
He was a giving person. His giving knew no limits. We miss him. We will remember him.
It was my pleasure to know you first as a client and then becoming a friend.
May God bless your beautiful soul and give your family strength during this difficult time.
I’m going to miss you.
Your friend/ barber
This is (the late) Mike’s sister, Michele. Our deepest condolences go out from our family to Jerome’s family and friends, especially to Jerome’s sister Andrea, and his dad. I took piano lessons (from Jerome’s aunt) with Andrea. Andrea, sadly, I know it’s really hard to lose your brother, I hope your memories with him will be of some comfort to you in this time. Jerome was a great friend to Mike, from elementary school, to high school and beyond. They both shared the common interest and love of photography. Jerome was a very positive person. Even when I last saw him in the summer, and he knew that things were not going well. He still had his beautiful smile and that famous twinkle in his eye. He was very grateful/thankful to the family who kindly took him in to live with them, as well as the many friends who drove him to appointments etc. and offered him support in so many other ways. You are all the angels that Jerome needed in his last years, thank you. Unfortunately Andrea, I will miss his funeral, as we will be on vacation and will not be back in time. But please know that our thoughts and condolences are with you and your family. From – Michele Phang and family.
Our deepest condolences to the Lew family. Jerome will be missed. God bless.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Even in our high school days we knew Jerome was a good man.
Raindrops keep falling on my head
But that doesn’t mean my eyes will soon be turning red
Crying’s not for me
‘Cause I’m never gonna stop the rain by complaining
Because I’m free
Nothing’s worrying me…
Hi Aunt Gloria, Jackie, Michele, Karen & Christopher,
Thanks for posting the words to the song “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head”.
It brings back so many fond memories of when Jerome was about 3 – 5yrs. old and he heard my Dad play the cassette tape over and over and Jerome seemed to gravitate to this song and would sing it over and over sometimes without music.
Many of the words to this song echo Jerome’s outlook towards life.
“Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” is a song written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach for the 1969 film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. It was sung by B. J. Thomas and was released in 1969.
I have provided the YouTube link for the entire song and lyrics sung by B. J. Thomas.
https://youtu.be/vXIL_JQZFQU
Thank you again for posting.