Timothy Paul Lewis

Timothy Paul Lewis Timothy Paul Lewis passed away at Ellis Hospital, April 18, 2026 after a short illness. Tim passed knowing that his family and his wide network of friends and family loved him and wished him well. He was born in Schenectady on December 21, 1964 and lived a rich and full life.

He attended special education classes in the Schenectady public school system, graduating from Linton High School in 1986. After his graduation, Tim went to work for Schenectady ARC at their Pine Ridge Industries Facility, working on a wide variety of assembly and production jobs for local and national customers. Tim was always very proud to see products that he had worked on sold in local stores.

Soon after his graduation Tim moved to a group home operated by Schenectady ARC in Scotia. After a few years he was one of the first residents to live in Connors House, in Rotterdam, until he moved to Ruzza House, where he lived for the past 11 years. At the same time that he lived with his friends from Schenectady ARC, Tim remained very close with his family, spending weekends and holidays with his mother and father, and after they passed, with his brothers Mark and Kirk and his sister-in-law Barbara and her family. Weekend dinners with family were a favorite tradition. The menu would vary, but there was always mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert!

Tim also greatly enjoyed visits by his sister Shelly and brother Kevin, when they came from California. He traveled with his family to Deposit, New York, where both his parents grew up, to North Carolina, and to California multiple times. He spent many summers at Indian Lake in the Adirondacks, where he swam like a fish, no matter how cold the water!

Tim was one of the warmest people you could ever meet, and he had a wide network of friends throughout Schenectady. Whenever his family was out with Tim, it was inevitable that they would run into someone who knew him, either from Schenectady ARC programs, from his many walks around the upper Union Street neighborhood where he grew up, or from his excursions to different stores to look at watches and television sets. For many years Tim loved bowling every week at Boulevard Bowl. He also enjoyed a variety of recreation programs and activities offered by Schenectady ARC and Liberty ARC, after the two merged. Starting in the early 2000's Tim celebrated "Take your brother to lunch" day every Thursday, when he and Kirk took turns picking the place for lunch and treating the other brother. There was never any doubt about where Tim would choose to go for lunch, and the family thanks the Thursday lunch crew at the Altamont Avenue McDonalds for being so welcoming when Kirk and Tim came for lunch.

Tim was predeceased by his father, David M. Lewis, and his mother, Eleanor S. Lewis. He is survived by his brothers Mark, Kevin (Susan) and Kirk (Barbara), by his sister Shelly Willard (Henry), by his nephews Nate, Brandon and Jack (Lis), and his niece Kerry. Tim loved being an uncle to his nephews and niece and was very proud of them and their accomplishments.

Tim had the benefit of many amazing people in his life, including the Direct Support Professionals and other staff at Schenectady ARC and then Liberty ARC who worked with him at his house and at his day programs. The family also wants to thank the amazing nurses in the Ellis Hospital ICU on E2 for their compassion and skill during Tim's final illness, as well as the Palliative Care team that provided strength and support to the family.

There will be calling hours and a celebration of Tim's life at Bekkering Ellis Funeral Home, 1 Mohawk Avenue, Scotia on May 16, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Liberty Foundation, 43 Liberty Drive, Amsterdam NY 12010 (or online at https://www.libertyarc.org/memorial-donation-form), in Tim's name.

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