Joseph W. Stewart

Joseph W. Stewart of Southold, N.Y., passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 12, at Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport after a long battle with cancer. He was 73 years old.

Joe was born Sept. 17, 1938, to Mildred Mae Frailey and Charles Ralph Stewart of Ford City, Pa., where he was raised. He graduated from West Point Military Academy, Class of 1961, and earned a Master’s of Engineering degree from Texas A&M University in 1966.

As a career Army officer, Joe served in many places throughout the world, including Thailand, Belgium and several places in the United States, and completed two tours of duty in Vietnam, where he was awarded two Bronze Stars. He also received numerous other military awards and decorations throughout his long career.
After retiring from the Army as a full colonel, Joe worked in New York City at the School Construction Authority and at the MTA, both in positions of construction oversight.

In his retirement, Joe enjoyed spending time with his wife of 50 years, the former Marilynn Schade; his daughter Pam and son-in-law John Telenko of New Jersey; his son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Maury Stewart of North Carolina; and his daughter Nancy Stewart and son-in-law Scott Daniel of Washington. He doted on his one grandchild, Viv Daniel of Seattle. He and Marilynn also enjoyed traveling to visit with his brother, Jim Stewart of Pennsylvania; his sister, Susie Tinant of Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews. Joe had many devoted lifelong friends, because his warm nature, quick smile and hearty sense of humor endeared him to all he came into contact with.

Throughout his life, he was a dedicated sports enthusiast, enjoyed following athletics of all types and was a particular fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Joe was an avid reader and spent many hours engrossed in mysteries, spy novels and military and historical nonfiction. He was an animal lover, a friend to every dog and cat he met, and liked to watch the wildlife and birds in his garden during the changing seasons.

Above all, during Joe’s illness, his good humor and positive nature were an inspiration to others as he fought his battle with cancer with the same strength, selflessness and optimism that he lived his life. He will be missed by all who knew him.

The family is not planning any services and, in lieu of flowers, donations to woundedwarriorsproject.org would be greatly appreciated.

Arrangements were entrusted to DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes.

This is a paid notice.