Richard Lewis’ Wife Joyce Lapinsky Speaks Out After Comedian’s Death, Thanks Fans

Three days after losing the love of her life, Joyce Lapinsky posted thanks to Richard Lewis‘ many fans, and offered a thought about how they might remember him.

“This is Joyce, Richard’s wife,” Lapinsky wrote on her husband’s X page. “Thank you for your loving tributes. He would be beyond thrilled and so touched, as am I. In response to the many queries , I know Richard would appreciate donations in his memory to the Los Angeles based charity http://comedygivesback.com or the charity of your choice.”

Comedy Gives Back describes itself as “a nonprofit created to help comedians when they are in need,” which works at creating a safety net for that community.

According to People, Lewis and Lapinsky met in 1998 at a Ringo Starr album release party. In 2004, they were engaged. They married the following year.

Starr was among those who paid tribute to Lewis on Wednesday, posting a photo of the three of them and writing, “God bless, Richard Lewis peace and love to Joyce.”

Lewis paid his own tribute to Lapinsky several weeks before his passing, posting a photo of the two of them and writing, “Keaton had his Eleanor I have my Joyce.”

The reference is to Eleanor Keaton, the wife of Buster who was his biggest champion. Eleanor Keaton is widely credited with helping to revive the silent star’s career in the 1950s and keeping his memory alive after the comedy icon’s death in 1966.

The parallels aren’t hard to see.

The duo connected only after Lewis had achieved his hard-won sobriety from drugs and alcohol. In 2010, he said of their relationship, “I’ve found peace and serenity. On stage, I still mine my bottomless pit of bad memories…In real life, I’m still crazy, but I’m far happier and more grateful than I’ve ever been.”