Donald M. Stewart, 88, of Vero Beach, passed away peacefully at home on Dec. 3, 2015.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Elizabeth Low Whitaker; son Donald M. Stewart Jr. of Vero Beach; daughter Katharine L. Stewart and son Alexander C. Stewart, both of West Hartford, Conn.; daughter Eliza Stewart-MacDougall (David) of Brentwood, N.H.; his former wife, mother of his children, and longtime friend Nancy Crocker Stewart of Bloomfield, Conn.; their grandchildren Martha, Seairra, Tobias, Alder, Rowan and Alexis; stepdaughter Susan Capparelle (Fred); stepsons Andrew Whitaker (Pam) and Edward Whitaker; three step-granddaughters; four nephews and two nieces.
He was predeceased by two brothers, Charles P. Stewart Jr. of Pittsburgh, Penn., and Richard R. Stewart of Ipswich, Mass.
Born in Hartford, Connecticut, on April 5, 1927, Donald was the son of the late Margaret McDonald and Charles Prescott Stewart. Donald grew up in West Hartford, Conn., where he attended Beach Park School, Kingswood School, and Milton Academy. During his youth he spent summers with his maternal grandparents at Lake Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, N.Y., or in Hyannisport, Mass.
At only 17, Stewart graduated from high school to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps so he could serve during World War II. He spoke often about his time as a prison guard at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard toward the end of the war.
When he returned, he attended Yale University on the GI Bill and graduated with the Class of 1949M. He worked for a short time in the insurance industry in Albany, N.Y., and New Haven, Conn.
He and Dan Kelly started a manufacturer representative company that dealt in housewares, hardware, and small electrical appliances called Kelly Stewart Sales. After selling out to Kelly, he purchased the Guest Light Co. He moved operations to West Hartford and renamed it Guest Marine Corporation. Many of his original Guest products are still available today.
In the course of his work, Stewart enjoyed traveling to various boat shows around the country. He was proud to serve a long term as the President of the New York Boat Show and chaired the National Marine Manufacturing Association during the acquisition of the Miami International Boat Show, which up until last year was the largest marine show in the U.S.
After many years of service as owner and President of Guest Marine, he eventually sold the company and retired. While still a resident of West Hartford, he began wintering in Vero Beach, where he eventually moved as a full-time resident.
Throughout his life he enjoyed summers spent in Hyannis Port, Edwards, Colo., and most recently in Osterville, Mass. His memberships at the Hartford Golf Club, Conn.; Hyannisport Club, Mass.; The Club At Cordillera, Colo.; The Moorings Club and Riomar Country Club, Fla., were key.
He loved sailing, tennis, golf, skiing, hiking, walking, collecting art, traveling, reading and crossword puzzles. A very active man, he was skiing until the age of 84 and playing golf just two weeks before he passed.
Donald’s family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Raul Story, Dr. Stuart Byer, the staff at the Scully-Welsh Cancer Center, and the Visiting Nurse/Hospice of Indian River County, for their efforts and kindness during the last few months. A special thanks to Dr. Leonardo Mandina for his dedication to Donald during the many years as his physician.
Stewart was known for his kind, gentle manner and amusing sense of humor. He was a great friend and father. Above all, he was a true gentleman. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
A memorial service to celebrate Donald’s life will take place at 11 a.m. on March 5, 2016, at the First Presbyterian Church, 520 Royal Palm Blvd., Vero Beach, Fla.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to VNA/Hospice of The Treasure Coast, 1110 35th Ln #1, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
