Salim L. Lewis
Cy Lewis | |
|---|---|
| Born | Salim Lissner Lewis Template:Birth date Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | April 28, 1978 (aged 69) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Managing Partner of Bear Stearns & Company (1949–1978) |
Salim L. "Cy" Lewis (October 5, 1908 – April 28, 1978) served as the Managing Partner of Bear, Stearns & Company, guiding the firm from 1949 until shortly before his passing in 1978.
Early life
Cy Lewis, born Salim Lissner Lewis in Brookline, Massachusetts, was the eldest child of Max and Hattie Lissner Lewis, both practicing Orthodox Judaism. His father, Max, emigrated from either western Russia or eastern Poland in 1877 and subsequently altered the family surname to Lewis. His mother, Hattie, descended from German Jewish heritage. Lewis enrolled at Boston University but left after three semesters due to financial constraints. Despite suffering from asthma, he briefly participated as a professional football player on weekends in Boston. In 1927, he had a short stint selling shoes in Philadelphia.
Lewis was married to Diana Frances Bonnor, who had been married twice before and had no children from those unions. Together, they had four children: Salim B. Lewis, Roger B. Lewis, John B. Lewis, and Bonnie Lewis.
Bear Stearns
In 1937, Salim L. Lewis became a partner at Bear Stearns & Company—a general partnership and member of the New York Stock Exchange—after receiving a $20,000 loan from his wife, Diana Felger Bonnor Lewis. At that time, Bear Stearns had approximately $500,000 in capital. Throughout World War II, Lewis effectively ran the company without holding an official title and was appointed managing partner by 1949; however, Victor Theodore Low retained the position of senior partner. Holding the largest portion of profits, Lewis led Bear Stearns as a general partnership until his death.
Death
While celebrating his retirement on April 26, 1978, at the Harmonie Club, Lewis experienced a mild stroke as he was opening a gold Piaget watch presented by his partners. He stayed conscious but suffered additional strokes the following day and passed away two days later at Mount Sinai Hospital.