METHUEN – Donald E. Stewart age 75 died unexpectedly on his birthday 75th Friday October 17, 2008 at Caritas Holy Family Hospital.
Born in Manchester, NH and raised in Lawrence he was the son of the late Ernest and Mary (Gibbons) Stewart. A long time Methuen resident he was an active parishioner at St. Monica’s Church, where he was past president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, past president of the School Guild, past president of the Cardinal Stewardship Appeal and also coached many basketball teams, and most of all enjoyed the Monday morning counting brotherhood at St. Monica’s. He coached the Methuen’s Girls softball Team and also Methuen west baseball. He was a member of the Central Catholic Alumni Association and Methuen Town Meeting Member and member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He graduated from Central Catholic High School with the Class of 1951 and also Merimack College. For 40 years he was employed at Equifax retiring as an office manager. He served in the United States Airforce and was honorably discharged.
Don was a devoted husband, father, brother , grandfather and friend and never missed any of his grandchildrens events.
According to his family he was an avid Redsox fan, loved all New England sports and was the number 1 fan of the Central Catholic Girl’s basketball team.
He leaves his wife of 45 years Joan M. (Wilkie) Stewart of Methuen.
Children Steven M. and his wife Colleen P. Stewart and Susan M. Downer and her husband Chad J. all of Methuen.
Brothers William E. Stewart and his wife Patricia of South Carolina and Raymond E. Stewart and his wife Janice of Norwich, CT.
Sister Marjorie E. Hunter of Westford, MA.
Grandchildren Andrew and Jonathan Stewart and Matthew and Emily Downer.
Donald was the father of the late Michael E. Stewart, grandfather of the late Alicia Joan Stewart and brother of the late Vivian E. Lyons.
He also leaves many nieces and nephews.
ARRANGEMENTS: In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Monica’s Church 221 Lawrence Street Methuen, MA 01844 or to Central catholic High School 300 Hampshire Street Lawrence MA 01843. Family and friends may call on Wednesday from 4:00p.m. – 8:00p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:30a.m. at St. Monica’s Church, Methuen with burial to follow in the Elmwood Cemetery also in Methuen, MA.