Stewart Harold Schenck

Stewart “Stew” Harold Schenck, a man of the sky and the sea, passed away on March 24, 2026, at the age of 86. Born on July 15, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan, to Benjamin Harris and Joanne (Stewart) Schenck, Stew lived a life defined by curiosity, adventure, and a relentless spirit of exploration.

After graduating from Central Michigan University in 1962, Stew was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy and served as a Naval Aviator with Anti-Submarine Squadron 31 (VS-31) aboard USS Wasp. During his naval service from 1962 to 1967, he participated in recovery operations for NASA Gemini space capsules after their return to Earth. While stationed at Quonset Point, Rhode Island, he met the love of his life, Carol. They were married in 1966, beginning a beautiful life together.

Following his honorable discharge in 1967, Stew brought his talents to a nearly 30-year career as a pilot with Trans World Airlines (TWA). Even after retiring from the cockpit, his adventurous spirit never faded. He traded the sky for the sea, becoming an avid scuba diver. He worked at Diver’s Cove in Essex and volunteered for several years at the Mystic Aquarium, where he shared his deep love of marine life and animals. He also continued to travel the world.

In his later years, Stew found peace in nature. He became a familiar face on local trails, covering mile after mile with his trusty walking stick, and he volunteered at Meigs Point Nature Center at Hammonasset Beach State Park. An avid reader, he kept his mind sharp and his heart full of knowledge until the very end.

Stew will be remembered for his strength, his devotion to duty, his adventurous spirit, and his kind and gentle nature. Above all, he will be remembered as a beloved father, grandfather, and friend whose life journey inspired those around him.

Stew was predeceased by his beloved wife, Carol; his daughter, Kirsten Martyszczyk; and his sister, Catherine Parlanti. He is survived by his daughter, Alyson Finnegan, and her husband, John; his cherished grandsons, Jack and Patrick Finnegan; his sister, Annette, of Michigan; and his brothers, Gerald, of Georgia, and Michael, of South Carolina. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews who adored their “Uncle Stew.”

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meigs Point Nature Center at Hammonasset Beach State Park through the Hammonasset Beach Conservancy: Support Friends of Hammonasset: Make a Difference Today