John S. Stewart

John (Jack) S. Stewart of Ithaca passed away at Kendal at Ithaca on Monday, June 30, 2014, at the age of 98.

Jack was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on January 19, 1916, a son of the late Donald and Effie (Bethel) Stewart. He received BA and LLB degrees from Cornell University, where he met his wife, Ellen (Toni). Upon graduation, he entered the FBI and served for 5 years before starting his long career as director of human resources with the pharmaceutical company then known as Lederle Laboratories. He and Toni raised three sons in Suffern, NY, where Jack was active in Boy Scouts, the local school board, Rotary, and numerous charitable organizations. Every summer he brought his family to their cottage on the west shore of Cayuga Lake. He and Toni moved to Ithaca in 1980, where he counseled seniors on retirement at Lifelong, volunteered with the Cayuga Nature Center, and was president of the East Lawn Cemetery Association. He was one of the early organizers of Kendal at Ithaca, and he spent considerable time traveling in the surrounding area promoting Kendal to prospective residents. He and Toni moved there in 1995. He was a longtime member of the Ithaca Yacht Club and, until recently, attended all home Cornell football games.

Jack was preceded in death by his son Bruce and sister, Mary. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Toni Stewart; his sons Jack (Judy) and Donald (Ellen); his grandsons Craig (Andrea), Christopher (Amy), Andrew (Stephanie), and DJ (Maggie); and 9 great-grandchildren.

Respecting his wishes, the family will gather privately to celebrate his life.

The family asks those who wish to make a contribution in Jack’s memory to consider donating to the Rainy Day Fund at Kendal. Checks should be made payable to Kendal at Ithaca with Rainy Day Fund placed in the memo line and mailed to Kendal at Ithaca, 2230 N. Triphammer Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.