Conrad Edgar Stewart

June 1, 1927 – November 9, 2023 It is with great sadness that we announce that Conrad passed away peacefully at Toronto Western Hospital on November 9th after a brief illness. He was born in Cochrane, Ontario, the seventh son, one of 14 children born to John L. Stewart and Eleanor (née Payette) and is predeceased by his first wife of 44 years, Irene (née Groulx), second wife Audrey (née Penny), and 13 siblings and their spouses. He will be sorely missed by his two sons, Dr. Darryl Stewart (Kathy), and Blake Stewart (Trish) and four grandchildren, Bradley Stewart, Alisha Nord-Stewart (Andy), Jacqueline Stewart and Brianne Nord-Stewart. Conrad was always immensely proud of his humble roots and documented many of his life experiences in a self-published memoir. His siblings often called him “lucky Con” as they witnessed his good fortune through numerous adventures. During World War II, Conrad wanted to follow in the footsteps of his 6 older brothers already in uniform by 1943. While still only 15, Conrad enlisted once in the Navy as an Ordinary Seaman and then again in the Air Force as a Sergeant Air Gunner. To his disappointment, both times, his family eventually reported his underage status, the second time after the death of his older brother Reginald, who piloted a Lancaster bomber. Conrad briefly played professional hockey in Muncie, Indiana in the early fifties. He married his teenage sweetheart Irene and operated his own business in Detroit for a few years. Returning to Canada with his family in 1956, he resumed a teaching career spanning almost 30 years in Don Mills, Kapuskasing, Kirkland Lake, and Dunbarton, among other places. He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree over time through Laurentian University. Along the way, he obtained his pilot’s licence and built his own two-seater amphibian Andersen Kingfisher. Conrad dabbled in politics when he ran as the provincial Liberal candidate in Scarborough Centre in 1967. To say that he was a “die-hard Liberal” is an understatement. When appointed to the Canadian War Veterans Allowance Board in 1978 he took great pride in helping to address the needs of less fortunate veterans and their families. Though always playing a competitive sport in his spare time, like hockey, bowling, or curling, Conrad also enjoyed cribbage, bridge (he played to win!), wood carving, and intarsia. While living in St. Albert, Alberta in the early nineties, Conrad interviewed survivors from World War II who belonged to the Northern Alberta Ex-Air Gunners Association, while he was their newsletter editor. He captured their harrowing tales in two self-published volumes. After sharing many adventures together that included moves from Scarborough to Kapuskasing, Ottawa, Charlottetown, Washago, and eventually St. Albert, Irene passed away from cancer in 1996. Conrad met and married Audrey in Edmonton, returning to Ontario in 2003. Conrad enjoyed his final five years living in Lindsay, Ontario, where his neighbours welcomed him immediately. He often remarked that his was the best generation, and the music of his time certainly reflected that romantic vision. We thank the caring staff at Toronto Western Hospital for their dedication and professionalism in recent days. Special thanks also go to the staff at the Grenadier Retirement Residence, whose genuine concern and attention made Con’s brief stay there enjoyable and comfortable. A private family service will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery in Toronto. A Celebration of Life for Conrad will be announced later. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice (one of his favourites was the War Amps) in memory of Conrad.