Philip E. “Phil” Lewis
Pittsford, NY
November 21, 1931 – September 18, 2025
Philip E. Lewis, 93, of Pittsford NY, passed away peacefully at home on September 18, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family. He was born in Fairport NY on November 21, 1931 to William and Gladys Lewis.
He was predeceased by his parents; his dear wife Marge; beloved sons Michael and Neil; his brothers Bill and Bob and his sisters-in-law Jean and Nancy Lewis.
He is survived by his children Cathy French, Robyn (Walt) Ruffier, Cindy O’Grady, David (Debbie Benack) Lewis, Kristen (John) Hoskins and Gordon (Sue) Lewis.
His grandchildren Justin (Emily) Stabb, Jonathan (Jordan) Ruffier, Caely (Leon) Barrett, Chris (Courtney) French, Lucy (Ryan Brown) French, Sean O’Grady (Dr. Malka Fox), Cari and Owen Lewis, Kelsey Hoskins, Patrick (Sara)Hoskins and Charlie (Audra) Hoskins, Joshua (Le’Anna) Lewis.
Great grandchildren Brennan and Ashland Stabb, Ira Barrett, Thomas and Millie French and Lennox French-Brown, and Milo Hoskins as well as several nieces and nephews and extended family members who loved him dearly.
He is also survived by his treasured cat, Lily, who was his constant companion.
Phil was a proud graduate of Fairport High School and went on to serve his country with honor in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1956 achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant while stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tuscon, Arizona.
After returning home to Fairport in 1956, Phil opened Phil’s Flying A service station on the corner of Elmwood Avenue and South Clinton in Brighton. His hard work, dedication to providing quality service and the genuine care he had for his customers built a successful business that became a neighborhood fixture. His loyal customers trusted him completely – many would wait over a week just to have Phil personally service or repair their cars. In 1970 Phil moved his business to a Mobil station on South Winton Road and Brighton Henrietta Town Line Road where he continued to serve the community for another 10 years.
Never one to stay idle, Phil stayed active with other business ventures including purchasing and fully rehabbing two homes in Canandaigua that he turned into rental properties. With his never-ending industrious spirit, he poured his energy and talents into restoring them, taking pride in creating welcoming and comfortable homes. He enjoyed being a fair and attentive landlord and valued the friendships he built with his tenants.
Phil was also deeply committed to community service. Beginning in 1979, he served on the Board of Rochester Medical Motor Service, where he chaired the Program/Transportation Committee overseeing the purchase and maintenance of the organization’s vehicles. He took great satisfaction in contributing to a mission that helped others remain connected and cared for.
He thoroughly enjoyed mentoring young people, teaching the value of taking care of what you have and the importance of being honest, trustworthy and maintaining your integrity.
He took great joy in helping his neighbors, friends and family – whether it was advice, home repairs or stopping by for a friendly visit. His reliability, generosity and quiet kindness were hallmarks of who he was. Someone you could always count on.
He will be remembered for his strong work ethic, steady integrity, honesty and lifelong dedication to service – qualities that defined his life and left a lasting impression on all who knew him. He will be deeply missed.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday October 24, 2025 at 10 AM at White Haven Memorial Park, All Seasons Chapel, 210 Marsh Road Pittsford, NY.
Internment will be private.
Donations in Phil’s honor may be made to Lollypop Farm.
15 responses to “Lewis, Philip “Phil” E”
I worked for Phil during the early 1970’s at “Phil’s Winton Service.” He was a great man and over the years have remembered his good spirit and kindness. He was the definition of “a real good guy.”
Thank you so much for your very kind words. Our Dad was a great man and just all around good guy as you so thoughtfully said. We will miss him deeply.
All the best,
Robyn Ruffier and all of our family
Thank so much for remembering our Dad. He was a special person and we will all miss him a lot.
All the best,
Robyn Ruffier and family
My condolences to family and friends that knew him.
l new Phil when he had a gas station on Fairport road l was about 14 years old he was always a good person as a young boy you look up to a person like Phil. that is what the country needs today RIP
How wonderful you remembered his very first service station! He had it prior to entering the Air Force. He was a good man with a solid moral compass and large heart. He definitely is the kind of man the country needs today.
Thank you for taking the time to remember him.
We wish you all the best Mr. Garland.
Robyn Ruffier and Phil’s entire family
My first job was working with Phil Lewis at the”Flying A” station on Elmwood and S. Clinton. Phil was much more than a boss, he was a great friend. As a kid, Phil taught me everthing from repairing automobiles to being a good person.
Phil will be truly missed.
My deepest condolences to his family.
I had the pleasure of being Phil’s next door neighbor for 10 years. What a kind, loving man he was! My condolences to his family
Thank you so much for your kind thoughtful words Ms. Spencer. Some of my brothers and sisters recall Dad speaking of you-he thought so highly of you as well!
We wish you well,
Robyn Ruffier and all of Phil’s family
The Veterans Outreach Center extends our deepest sympathy in Phil’s passing.
We acknowledge and are truly grateful for his service to our country.
Thank you for your kind words. Our Dad was very proud of his service and proud of his country.
All the best,
Robyn Ruffier and all of Phil’s family
Phil was a wonderful friend during our high school days at Fairport high school. soon after graduating in 1951 Phil and I entered military service. Phil with the Air Force and myself with the 11th airborne division in Fort Campbell Kentucky.
My sincere condolences to the family of my friend.
Dave Waddell
Fairport, New York.
Condolences. Sometime about 2010 or 2011, when I lived nearby, I was unaware of the parking regs and his wife accidentally hit my car. That is when I first met Phil and Marge. They handled it very well, and somehow the 3 estimates they wanted happened within 2 hours (I thought 3 estimates meant tying up 3 days). It was amicable and although I regret parking near them and my part, I was glad that I got to know both Phil and Marge, both wonderful people and I was also glad that Marge had the OHA deliver the regs to me because I really should have understood them and after that, I did. I was saddened to hear of Marge’s death a year or few yrs later and I meant to offer condolences to Phil, but, I don’t remember if I wound up stopping by. I was on this funeral home site passing by and noticed the name and then saw his pic and Marge’s name and it is my last chance down here to offer appreciation for two wonderful people who helped make the neighborhood great.
Phil allowed me to work for him when I was 15 years old (1963) at the “Flying A” station on Elmwood and S. Clinton. In between high school and college I worked when I could. In 1970 – 1978 I worked full time. Phil was a person you could depend on for everything and anything. We had a relationship that you very seldom heard about between employer and employee. When I told people I worked for Phil Lewis, he would correct me by saying we worked together. Lots of history between Phil and his family, and me. I will certainly miss him.
Phil was a wonderful man. There are so many adjectives to describe him. He was knowledgeable, caring, wise, compassionate, the list could go on. Our family knew him and Marge for years, even before they became neighbors on Hearthstone Rd. Phil was very generous with his time when my dad who had AD would wander down the street and tell stories that Phil had heard numerous times before. After my dad passed and my mom moved out past the Basin, Phil was always willing to help her out with odd jobs.
I was thankful for Phil’s friendship as he helped me many times. We talked about the Phoenix Tucson area and I heard many great stories about his time while stationed in Tucson.
My Mom and I enjoyed the many dinners we shared with Phil at the Chinese food restaurant just past 12 Corners in Brighton. We shared memories and lots of laughs.
I will be forever indebted to Phil for his friendship over the years. I was truly blessed to have such a great man as a friend. My condolences to all of his family. He was so proud of all of you.