Henry Stewart 1929 – 2023
The family sadly announce the death of Henry Ernest Adney Stewart, on Saturday, June 17, 2023, beloved husband of Jean, proud and loving father of their four sons and daughters-in-law: Dean and Janette (Stoeken), Vancouver, BC; Andrew and Nedine Stewart, Kelowna, BC; Glenn and Churyl (Elgart), Calgary, AB; and Dwight and Margie (Preston), Comox, BC. Loving and adored grandfather of Georgia and Eliza, Jordan, and Preston. Henry was one of the eight children of Henry Ernest and Jennie Stewart of Bolton, and loving brother and brother-in-law of the late Andy and Adele of Ailsa Craig, the late Dorothy and Lorne Paisley of Oshawa, the late Isobel and Elmer Russell of Strathroy, the late R.J. and Betty-June of Bolton, Hilliard (deceased) and Marguerite of Parkhill, the late Bertram and Hazel of Milton and Elora, and Murray and Marian (deceased) of Bolton. He was the brother-in-law of Jean’s sisters and their husbands, Betty and Don Graham of Toronto and the late Phyllis and Glenn Davis of Nobleton. He is remembered with love by his many Stewart, Davis and Graham nieces and nephews and their children.
After graduation from the University of Western Ontario (Waterloo College) in 1955, he began his long career in municipal government, undertaking additional studies in local government at Queen’s and planning law at the University of Toronto. In 1958 he and Jean bought their first house in Streetsville, their home for over 50 years! For nineteen years he served in the Township of Toronto (later Town and City of Mississauga) in Planning Board, The Clerk’s Office, and eventually as the City Manager. Then in 1974 he was appointed by the Province to the Ontario Municipal Board, serving for sixteen years, the last ten as its Chairman.
A longtime Presbyterian Elder at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian church in Streetsville and active member of the Presbytery of Brampton, he served on a number of the national Church’s boards and committees, including the Board of Knox College, University of Toronto. He also served on the Board of the Toronto French School, and in the Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario.
An early member of the Board of Governors of the (then) new Credit Valley Hospital, he served as its Chairman, and continued to be active in support of the hospital. In honour of his significant contributions, the flags at Credit Valley Hospital and Mississauga Hospital will be lowered to half-mast on Monday, June 26. Those who wish may make memorial donations to the Trillium Health Partners Foundation supporting the Credit Valley Hospital.
Many family memories were enjoyed at the beloved cottage which Henry and Jean built on Lake of Bays in Muskoka and which became the centre of family and friends’ celebrations for 35 years. For most of their married life Henry and Jean (and the boys) camped and “trailered” across Canada and the USA, especially in their beloved Prairies and BC. Vancouver became a winter home in later years and more recently Kelowna became their year-round home in order to be closer to their 4 sons and families.
A Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving for the life of Henry E. Stewart will at the Egan Funeral Home, 203 Queen Street S. (Hwy. 50), Bolton (905-857-2213) on Friday, August 18 from one o’clock until time of memorial service in the chapel at 2 o’clock. Reception to follow at the funeral home. A private family service and interment in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bolton.
The family invites those who wish to view the service to do so through live streaming at
https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=7561dec5-517e-4110-a43b-7c58e78f7ea0
You can view the service live at the time scheduled or you can view it at a more convenient time for you.
You will be required to register for the service and then they will immediately send you an email with the actual link to the service. Please check your junk or spam inbox if you don’t receive the email with the actual link..
If you experience any issues or have questions in regards to the live streaming, please feel free to contact Forget Me Not Ceremonies at 1-877-895-2739. If you need to leave a message on their answering machine, they will return your call promptly.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Doug Kilner
It is with great sadness that I learned of Henry’s passing. Having worked with Henry during the planning,construction, and initial operation of the Credit Valley Hospital I always admired. Henry’s leadership qualities and valued input in the hospital affairs. Following Henry in the chairmanship of the hospital board of governors there we’re extremely big shoes to fill. It became evident of the highest standard of leadership Henry provided us over the years. All we’re done by a truly nice guy. My condolences to the family during this time of sadness.
Brenda Hill
So very sorry to hear the loss of Henry. Dear Jean my prayers are with you and your loving family.
Henry is with the lord now.
Blessings to you all.
Brenda Hill
Streetsville.
Donald William Johnston
Condolences to Henry’s family. I was a fellow elder and member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Streetsville. Henry was a man of the highest caliber. He shall be missed by all who knew him.
Murray Stewart
Dear Jean and Family
From a distance ,I wanted to use this modern method of sharing love and condolences with you and all your/ our Family who will be able to share these messages. I have just read Henry’s Obituary and appreciated how it reminded me of his many different ,yet related interests throughout his career and of course your/our family life together when it was possible.
May “Hank ” rest in peace knowing he made a contribution helping others.
Blessings to all
Murray
Kiersten Drynan
The Drynan family offers their condolences to Jean and her family. Henry is the epitome of a life well-lived and we have come to care for him and Jean like family. Sending all our love to Jean and her extended family, as well as Henry’s brother Murray and his family as well.
Dean m Sane
Olivia and I share the sadness of the passing of a great guy! I had the privilege and pleasure of working with Henry both as a Founding member of the Board of Governors of Credit Valley Hospital and later as he served as the second Chairman of the Board for several years. His leadership astute intuition and sense of humor will be cherished and remembered for a lifetime!
Our condolences to Jean and his fours sons and their families!
Dean M Sane
Colin & Donna Campbell
It is with heavy hearts that we have received the sad news of our dear friend Henry’s passing. It was the Stewart family who first adopted our family on our very first visit to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, upon our move to Streetsville in 1976. Thereafter, we spent many happy days and occasions with the Stewart family over the 20 years we lived in Streetsville, becoming part of the St. Andrews Church family, watching their 4 boys and our 2 boys growing into young men, and filled with so many happy memories. We’ll always remember Henry as a dedicated, loving father and husband, a generous, kind and gentle man with a wonderful sense of dry humor, and a wonderful friend. May you rest in peace, Henry.
Laura Ellen Douglas Caswill
Dear Jean and family
I just heard about Henry today and it broke my heart. He was like a second father to me for many years. From babysitting your boys in Streetsville and during the summer at your beautiful cottage….to Henry doing my toast to the bride at my wedding in 1990….he was very special to me. I am thinking of you…saying lots of prayers for all of you too.
You are a wonderful family and you gave me such wonderful memories of the time I spent with all of you. Jean…I will plan on being in Bolton for the memorial service. Until then…God Bless all of you
Much Love…Laura Ellen Douglas Caswill XXOO
Wayne and Ben send their love too.
Joseph C Paradi
Joseph and Monika Paradi
It is with great sorrow to hear about the passing of Henry Stewart. We are connected to the Stewart family via our son David’s marriage to Sheila Stewart. Over the past decades we got to know Henry and Jean well at family gatherings and through the connection they had with Murray and Marnie Stewart. Henry was a born leader and a passionate worker for a better Canada through his deep involvement in governance and volunteer work in hospitals and their church. People looked up to him and learned from him how to be better citizens.
Monika and I are immigrants to this great Country, and we learned from him and others about how the past generations of Canadians created and nurtured our new home. We very much enjoyed Henry and Jean’s company and were even privileged to have been invited to some close family events. One example is their 60th wedding anniversary. We asked Henry to attend our 60th and he promised. Although he has departed this earth now to meet his maker, we know that his spirit will be with us in a couple of years.
We send our condolences to the whole large Stewart clan in this time of sorrow and sadness. He is gone but he is still here in our hearts!
Marie Douglas
Dear Jean and family
I was very sorry to hear about Henry. And hope you are managing through this difficult time. Jim and I had many fond memories of our time with the Stewart family in Streetsville. My thoughts and prayers are with you in the weeks ahead. Blessings from Mary as well.
Douglas and Gail Fleck
Murray. Gail and I extend our condolence to you at this time Murray. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your Family. Gail and Douglas Fleck
Ann Currie (McLorn)
I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr, Stewart. I met him through my mum Joyce McLorn at St. Andrews. A man of grace and a true gentleman. Sending condolences to Mrs. Stewart and their families.
KATHLEEN GAULE
Henry was the epitome of everything good in an individual. As a man of God, he displayed the very nature of God in everything he was and did for others. His friendship will be treasured always. Heaven rejoices welcoming him home.
With our love and sympathy to Jean (also one of those rare souls who touches hearts) and to all Henry’s family members
Ray and Kathleen
Ian Henderson
Very sorry to hear of Henry’s passing. He had a long association with my father, Dean Henderson, at the Township of Toronto and Mississauga, then at the Ontario Municipal Board. The last time I saw Henry was over a decade ago at my mother Margaret’s funeral. My father thought the world of Henry and valued his friendship. He was a kind and thoughtful man and made real contributions to Mississauga and Ontario.
Brian Irwin
Dear Mrs. Stewart and Family,
As Acting Principal of Knox College, I wish to offer my condolences on the passing of your husband and father, Henry.
Today, many of us aspire to “make a difference,” but few of us have the opportunity, gifts, or commitment to do so. What is remarkable to me about your husband and father is how over decades he was committed and diligent in using his gifts to make the everyday lives of people better. (As someone who grew up in Cooksville in the 1960s, I know that very few people can claim to have “Toronto Township” on their resume!) We at Knox College were the beneficiaries of Henry’s wisdom when he served on our Board of Governors from 1987 to 1993. Whether it was through municipal government, hospital oversight, service on committees of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, or as an elder in his local congregation, your husband and father touched the lives of many who are unable to rise up and thank him now. This kind of giving does not come without sacrifice in other areas, so we thank him for his faithful service and thank you for lending him to us and the broader community.
May the arms of Christ stretched out for us on the Cross, hold you now in your time of grief and loss.
Sincerely,
Brian P. Irwin
Acting Principal, Knox College, Toronto School of Theology, University of Toronto
Douglas McQuaig
As I consider the life and legacy of Henry Stewart, my joy and gratitude is boundless.
For 24+ years, my life was inspired and guided by this man of incredible faith, wisdom, and grace. He was much more than a member and leader in St. Andrew’s (Streetsville) Presbyterian Church. He was a friend, a confidant, and a mentor who guided me in many important decisions and relationships.
One example came after a long meeting of Session, Henry asked a question full of humour and sober insight: “Doug, are you going to issue us all a pair of running shoes?” I didn’t understand what he was getting at until he pointed out that I had spoken of many hopes and opportunities facing our church at that time. Then he gave me his counsel: “Don’t run too far ahead of us so that we can’t catch up.” And Henry walked and ran alongside of me through every adventure, often outpacing me and always encouraging me.
I and my wife and family will forever cherish Henry’s legacy of love and service to God and others. His example was one of genuine integrity, wise counsel, steadfast love and unshakeable faith.
In this time of sadness, Jean and family, remember Henry with a joy that far outweighs the loss. I know I will, and I will try to follow his example in life and faith until we meet in Glory.
(Rev. Dr.) Douglas McQuaig (Doug)
Philippians 1:6
Ken and Christina Graham
Dear Murray,
Your brother Henry was an amazing man and we enjoyed reading of all his remarkable accomplishments. We can see that you have followed in your older brother’s footsteps.
What a role model ! Canada needs more leaders like Henry. Our sincere condolences.
Barbara Taylor
Henry was a remarkable man of faith, kind and gentle yet firm in his convictions. His leadership skills at St. Andrew’s were greatly respected and appreciated and he will be missed by all who knew and loved him. To Jean and all his family I extend my deepest sympathy and pray that God will continue to enfold you in the comfort of his loving arms.
Sincerely,
Barbara
john tomlinson
I had the privilege of serving as a member of the Ontario Municipal Board for the last few years that Henry was the Chair of the Board.
He was a wise, inspiring leader, and a man of integrity and principle.
I always enjoyed my discussions with him which were replete with his pragmatic advice and gentle humour.
How fortunate his family (and Ontario) was to have him.