Harold Lewis

Hal (Harold) Lewis, 71, of Bellaire, passed away on February 26, 2026. He was born on December 31, 1954 to Ruth (Ellison) and Bud (Herman) Lewis in Grand Rapids, MI.

Bellaire was his true hometown. He was a proud graduate and basketball player for the Eagles. In recent years he closely followed a variety of athletic sports, but his true passion for the community was displayed by the countless hours he volunteered over the years maintaining the beauty of the Bellaire athletic field gardens.

Skiing started at the age of 4 at “Glacier Hills” in Bellaire. To his family, he became known as one of the “Ski Kats” as his adventurous side was best displayed on the snowy slopes in the winter and behind a boat on local lakes of glass. Generations of skiing will continue as he taught both of his daughters and all of his grandchildren how to ski, instilling in them “The family that skis together stays together.” He accomplished many ski trips out west to a variety of ski resorts with cousins that were also best friends. Sharing the stories to his kids and grandkids of their magnitude- using Boyne Mountain as a unit of measurement to compare them to. Becoming a Michigan State Spartan, barefoot water skiing, riding a unicycle, heli-skiing with the Ski Kats, and a memorable trip kayaking in a cave with his daughters were some items crossed off Hal’s “bucket list.” His passion for the sport of downhill skiing brought him in recent years to spend his winters working at Schuss Mountain and being known as the “Ski Dr.” Hal never retired- he was the hardest working man one could ever know.

His friendship circles gathered around local coffee tables at 7am, in the bleachers of gymnasiums, on boat rides on torch lake, and at hunting camp- each was valued to him.

Hal is survived by his two daughters, Heather and Rachel Lewis, who each held a special place of favorite in his heart. His grandchildren Trevor, Brendan, Aubree, and Felicity Bonar, who he had great pride and joy in. Hal’s sisters Carol (Rick) Sharp, and Kelly (Brent) Hewitt with whom he spent 63 Christmas Eves with. Nieces, nephews, and generations of cousins he made a point to see yearly. Family was of greatest importance to Hal. His true canine companion “Buddy Boy” remained with him until the end.

He was preceded in death by his beloved parents Bud (Herman) and Ruth Lewis who raised him in the restaurant business that led to his initial career path. Fellow “Ski Kat” cousins/lifelong best friends Dave and Don Troll.

His daughter, grandchildren, and a next generation of skiers celebrated his life at Boyne Mountain the following weekend by skiing the hills he taught them on.
Hal’s family, close friends and co-workers from Schuss Mt will be gathering this summer for a picnic at the “great stone house,” Lewis family home, per Hal’s request to share stories and celebrate his life and legacy.

Donations in Hal’s memory are being directed to:
Friends of Bellaire Athletics
P.O. Box 998
Bellaire, MI
49615

Arrangements are in the care of the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign his online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com with thoughts and stories his family and friends can remember him with.