Quite entitled to all the idiosyncrasies he might be known for, Hilton Henry Lewis requested that, during his birth anniversary celebration over this past weekend he be addressed as “Champ” and not “Mr” or “Sir”.
Older well- wishers had to struggle with that request but did their best to comply. Hilton Lewis completed one hundred years of achievement last Sunday. For more than eight decades “Champ” Lewis was teacher/headmaster, athlete and trainer of athletes, Guyana National Service member and member of many choirs. “Champ” is itself a tribute to his gold medal victories in Masters track and field, representing Guyana overseas when past eighty!
Among many events the still fit and sprightly centenarian was guest of honour at the Transfiguration Church Hall on Sunday afternoon. A deluge of tributes and reminiscences poured in from students he taught at the various schools he met there. They are all now very grown adults. Among his past students was one Hugh Desmond Hoyte – late President of Guyana.
