A former Florida Senate President has died, and the fiscal watchdog group that he co-founded is remembering Phil Lewis. Between 1970 and 1980, Lewis served in the Florida Senate. During his last two years, he served as Senate President. Lewis worked to create the state’s water management districts, and he’s also one of the founding members of the non-profit group Florida TaxWatch. The group’s President and CEO Dominic Calabro says Lewis was his mentor, his friend, and was widely respected.
“He was a man who solved problems, who reached across the aisle, and was more than happy to give everyone else the credit," said Calabro. "And, he was even more respected even after he left public office, which is a rarity. Usually people forget you. And, his counsel was consistently called upon by governors of both parties, and he served on and chaired some 20-plus commissions.”
Lewis died at his home in West Palm Beach at the age of 82. Lewis is survived by his wife, nine children, and 13 grandchildren. A viewing will be held Sunday in West Palm Beach, and a funeral mass will be held Monday morning
