LEWIS APPLE PORTNOY

Lewis Apple Portnoy passed away at Lewis County Nursing Home in Canton, Mo., July 17, 2016 after a long battle with idopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He was 75 years old, born in St. Louis, Missouri at Jewish Hospital on July 2, 1941. He was the son of Joyce (RJ) Portnoy and Blossom Apple Portnoy, grandson of Ella Rose and Lewis Tilles Apple, and Rebecca and Abraham Portnoy. Lew had three sons, Scott, Kristopher and Matthew Portnoy. Lew shared his life with Lois Constantz for more than 43 years. They worked, traveled and laughed together making his photographs. He said all he ever wanted on his business card was Photographer. He was that and much more. His website www.lewportnoy.comwill attest to that fact. Lew was educated at Community School and John Burroughs School in St. Louis as well as Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana continuing his education at Menlo College, Columbia University and Washington University. He studied on the Chicago Board of Trade and became a commodities broker for about 9 years, then bought a camera and changed his life! He was an outstanding athlete and artist, which would probably explain the turn of his career path. He began photographing the St. Louis Blues and progressed in many directions encompassing all levels and types of sport as well as corporate work. He taught photography classes wherever anyone asked for his help including the St. Louis Parks Department. You couldn’t say he retired from photography because he was a photographer. It wasn’t so much what he did, but who is was! That never changed. Lew leaves behind a legacy of photographic work that is included in the halls of fame for Hockey, Baseball, Tennis, Golf, Rodeo, Skiing and the US Olympic Committee, as well as beautiful photographs in numerous books and personal collections. Ever the artist, in Lew’s early years he played the guitar, banjo and other musical instruments with his friends and was a member of the band called the Yeomen. Later in his life he picked up the guitar again and found that his old friends also still had the love of music. They formed another band called The Ladue Mountain Boys. Same guys - different decade, and big fun was had by all! He is survived by his companion Lois Constantz of Canton, M0; three sons, Scott Portnoy of Boulder, Colo., Kristopher Portnoy of St. Louis, Mo; and Matthew Portnoy of Santa Monica, Calif; two grandchildren, Blake and Payton Portnoy of St. Louis, Mo; one sister, Joycee Kennedy of Denver, Colo; one half-brother, Robert Portnoy of Albuquerque, NM; step-mother Barbara Kay Portnoy of Prescott, Ariz; four nieces and innumerable friends. He never met a stranger. He was preceded in death by his parents. Per Lew’s request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. He said that anyone who wanted to celebrate his life should make donations to Open Door Animal Sanctuary in House Springs, Mo. Arrangements by Davis Funeral Home, Canton, Mo. Online condolences may be left at www.davis-fh.com