Stuart Bailey

Stuart Bailey, born January 12, 1926, age 97, in Princess Anne, MD, Somerset County, passed away on Monday, October 9, 2023 in Towson, MD. Cherished father of Richard Lee Bailey and James Stuart Bailey, predeceased by son Robert Gary Bailey (1954-2016); dear brother of Clark Alan Bailey and sister Kay Frances Bowers. Stuart is survived by ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, eight step-great-grandchildren as well as twenty-three nieces and nephews.

Stuart is preceded in death by first wife Betty Lee (nee Burgess) Bailey (1928-1968) – married 1947 to 1968; by his second wife Mary Eileen (nee Goodwin, first cousin of Betty Lee Bailey) Buchanan (first marriage name) Bailey (1921-2020) – married 1969-2020; and by his siblings, James Sydney Bailey, Paula Abresch, M. Elizabeth (Betty) Phenicie, and Jeanne Walter.

Stuart spent his childhood in Princess Anne, Maryland on the Eastern Shore. During World War II he enlisted in the Marines at the age of seventeen. At that time, if you enlisted, you had the choice of which Theatre of War you could serve. Stuart chose the South Pacific Theatre and was stationed on Saipan and Tinian Islands. He was part of the communications crew responsible for laying and maintaining phone lines on Tinian Island; also assisted with maintaining the airstrip. Stuart told his family that he saw the Enola Gay but didn’t know anything about the cargo it carried. His unit was slated to participate in the invasion prior to the Japanese surrendering after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. When Stuart returned from Tinian he moved to Baltimore where he briefly worked as a Postman. Stuart changed professions and became a Baltimore City Firefighter, a job he held for thirty-two years. After retiring from the BCFD as a Lieutenant, Stuart worked part-time delivering parts for Jerry’s Chevrolet. In his prime, he and Eileen loved to take day trips and go “antiquing” or take long scenic drives. An avid reader, a tinkerer, and carpentry (his father’s trade) were also among his favorite activities. Stuart was a devoted family man, remarkably strong, resilient, and long-lived, having survived five different cancers during a period of forty-five years.

A private military funeral will be held in Mt. Vernon, Maryland at the former Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery, Princess Anne, Maryland.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lemmonfuneralhome.com for the Bailey family.