On Friday, August 5, Collins “Coach” Lewis died of what was believed to have been an aneurysm at 62. Lewis made his mark sewing Mardi Gras Indian suits and as a drummer for Spirit of Fi-Yi-Yi and Mandingo Warriors, and his funeral will take place Saturday at 10 a.m. at Charbonnet-Labat-Glapion Funeral Home (1615 St. Philip St.). The visitation will start at 8 a.m. and there will be a cultural program starting at 9. There will be a traditional Mardi Gras Indian procession after the funeral, and the repast will take place at the Treme Community Center.

Collins "Coach" Lewis. Photo by Kim Welsh.

The Times-Picayune‘s John Pope’s obituary
Jay Mazza’s recollections of Lewis