Stewart C Cummings

Stewart was a lifetime St. Lambert resident who took quiet pride in his accomplishments. As a teenager, he was selected as a T. Eaton & Co. High School Junior Executive. After a brief stint at the retailer he joined Alcan Aluminum, later transferring to their subsidiary Saguenay Shipping. This is where he met the woman who was to become his wife.

Stewart worked at Saguenay for 40 years in several capacities. He integrated quickly into the local seafaring community, eventually receiving distinguished honours from both Mariners House and the Grunt Club, each of which is a charitable, non-profit marine organization.

A member of the United Church since 1940, he served as an elder for 23 years. His had been the longest membership in the congregation.

Outgoing, affable and itching to keep moving, as recently as 2 weeks ago he took public transit to lunch at Mcdonald’s then hitchhiked home, unwilling to wait for the bus. Sometimes he’d ask strangers outside the local grocery store for rides home and they obliged. One young couple was so taken with him that he was invited to their home for a bbq.

An avid sportsman, Stewart played and/or coached football, golf, softball and hockey until he became physically incapable. He was a Director and later Vice-President of the Community Sport Association.

Stewart began jogging at the age of 40, keeping detailed records from the very beginning. He ran his final 30,429th mile on his 85th birthday. To his dying day, he lamented having had to give up his daily passion at the track.

But Stewart’s proudest achievement was his family. He loved Shirley immensely. Her lengthy struggle with MS took a toll on him physically and emotionally but his devotion remained steadfast. Well into his 90s, he was still lifting her and her wheelchair in and out of the car.

He was deeply proud of his 4 sons and never wavered from treating each of them equally. Stewart was raised in the Depression-era, he didn’t want his family to endure the same hardships and he made sure they didn’t.

Humble to the core, Stewart is gone but never to be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.