Donald Edwin Stewart

Captain (Retired) Stewart, Donald Edwin, B.Sc (Mil)(RMC), Bronze Cross (Netherlands), Chevalier de la Legion D'Honneur

Born: August 22, 1921, at 130 Albert Street (now 114 Prince Albert Street) in Woodstock, N.B.

Died: December 3, 2012, at Upper River Valley Hospital.

Don's parents were Cecil Edwin Stewart and Jean Margaret (Tilley) Stewart. Don had one sister, Dorothy Jean (Babe) (Stewart) Bland, and one brother, Carleton Holland (Bud) Stewart.

Don attended Fisher School to grade 11 and was class valedictorian. Don was a valued member of the Woodstock High School and Woodstock Senators basketball teams. He attended Mount Allison University and then Royal Military College. He served in the South Alberta Regiment (tanks) and Landed on the beaches at Normandy and he was twice wounded.

After the war, he returned to Woodstock to operate Stewart and Stewart Hardware - later Home Hardware - for the next 50 years. He was active in the Rotary Club (secretary), Scouting (cub leader - scout leader - district commissioner), town council, and St. James United Church (treasurer, Sunday school).

While at Mount Allison he met Valerie MacDonald who was a good skater and he liked to skate, but, that was it until years later when his army unit was sent to Cape Breton - across the street from Valerie's house. His first dance in Glace Bay was with Valerie and - as he said - "I was doomed! Fate took over".

Don and Valerie married in 1946 and had 4 children: Valerie Joan Fitzpatrick, Dr. John Scott Stewart (Anne), Bette Jean Stewart (Gary Russell) and Mary Suzanne Stewart. To his great pleasure, this led to 9 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Don enjoyed his family, his cottage at Skiff Lake, his ongoing one-up-manship with his brother Bud and nephew Mark (also his computer geek) and a good joke. He stayed in contact with friends - both old and new - by email and computer, passing on his favorite stories, thoughts about life and, of course, with his wry sense of humour, many, many jokes. His life was a perfect example of honor, respect, dignity and humility. He was a true gentleman.

In recent years he was no longer able to travel to his son's home for free pumpkin pie and turkey so was very grateful that Bud and Doe and their family were able and willing to take over this role.

He took great pride in being organized and prepared and dedicated himself totally to his wife, Valerie. He provided a living example of placing others before self. We humbly accept the honor of carrying out the duties he has left for us.

We will miss his wisdom, patience, kindness, loving guidance and constant gentle humor.

A special thank you to Dr. Gary Beatty for his caring and professional services over the years - as well as his constant supply of e-mail jokes.

As Mary points out - because of our parents - we truly did live in the "Leave it to Beaver" family.

Thank you Dad. We love you and you are missed by us all very much.

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