Orange-Los Angeles County CA Archives Obituaries.....Stewart, David Gerald February 27, 2010 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Laura Ann Stewart Breite laurabreite@me.com February 2, 2017, 10:08 pm Written by Laura Ann Stewart Breite 2 Mar 2010; used with permission DAVID GERALD STEWART 1931 - 2010 Birth: Jan. 30, 1931, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Death: Feb. 27, 2010 Anaheim, Orange County California, USA "Family Man," David Stewart, a fifty-year resident of La Habra Dies David Gerald Stewart, 79, passed away in Anaheim, Orange Co., California peacefully early Saturday morning, February 27, 2010, after a four-week hospitalization. He was the husband of Donna (nee Henry) Brooks Stewart. Mr. Stewart, the son of Ernest Arthur Stewart and Kathleen Ellen (Jones) Stewart, was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada January 30, 1931. He was a strong, active, curly- headed boy with big brown eyes and long, lush lashes. His full adult height (6'1") by the time he was 14, when his father suddenly died, and David was left to his own adventurous inclinations. Leaving school early he explored the great Yukon with several of his friends seeking their fortune. Returning to Toronto, and always willing to try something new, he enjoyed the beauty of the Great Lakes and eventually became a summer lifeguard. His swarthy good looks and beautiful build kept the young ladies of the area swooning. During the summer of 1952, Dave hired on as trash collector at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming where he met his first wife, Barbara Louise Ridgeway (now Greiner) (daughter of Rupert R. Sr and Sammie Ora (nee Easley) Ridgeway, a summer housekeeping employee. Mr. Stewart moved to Whittier, California in November 1952, where he obtained work as a milkman for Carnation, delivering milk to various Los Angeles County communities. Looking to the "outskirts" for better home opportunities he moved his family to La Habra (at the time only dirt roads) in 1959, where they were able to purchase a small, three- bedroom home for $14,000. David and Barbara (married 25 years) were active parents supporting their children's activities in sports, scouting, Job's Daughters and choir. Mr. Stewart was a Pop-Warner Football coach when the La Habra program first started. He was very proud of his family and of his new country (he became a Naturalized U.S. Citizen). Mr. Stewart married Donna (Henry) Brooks January 19, 1980, celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary this past January. He worked for Langendorf Breads and retired from Dolly Madison in 1993, where he delivered breads and baked goods to local area markets for 35 years. He and Donna were owner/operators of a Pepperidge Farm route for many years. David, ever the adventurer, was always ready and willing to "go." He was an active person who enjoyed swimming, snow skiing, bowling, biking, country dancing and any other activity that presented itself. He was our family's biggest "fan" and attended every game, performance or concert of his six children and his fifteen grandchildren. His gentle manner, good humor, kind heart and loyalty were all traits that endeared him to family and friends. He gathered friends easily and never met a person he didn't like. He was an active member of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks of the USA, Buena Park Lodge 2046; Bowling Team; and Corvette Super Sports Club of La Habra with whom he performed community service and traveled to car shows throughout the country displaying, with pride, his bright red Corvette. He is survived by his wife, Donna; daughter, Laura Breite of San Diego, wife of Larry and their children, Ethan, Whitney, Cara and Jenna; daughter, Nancy Clayfield of Irvine, wife of Peter and their daughter, Alexa; son, Dan Stewart of Mission Viejo, husband of Laura Fabbro Stewart and their children, Justin and Danielle; daughter, Diana Sanderson of Irvine, wife of Bill and their children, Garrett, Collin and Kaylee; stepson David Brooks of Norwalk, husband of Hoan and their children, Gary and Jessica; stepson Michael Brooks of Texas, husband of Taffy and their daughter Miranda and Michael's daughter, Brittney. He was preceded by his parents, Ernest and Kathleen (Jones) Stewart and step- grandson Jonothan Croweagle Fabbro. Mr. Stewart was cremated 4 March 2010; his ashes were interred during a private graveside service held for the family on 12 March 2010 at Rose Hills Memorial Park located at 3888 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier, Los Angeles Co., California (www.rosehills.com). A celebration of life memorial gathering was held at the Buena Park Elks Lodge Friday, March 26, 2010, located at 7212 Melrose St., Buena Park, CA 90621-3225 Ph. 714-522- 2853. Over 200 family and friends were in attendance. David received the honor of the Elks ritual and was called home. Most people recalled David's welcoming greeting at their every meeting and his warm bear hugs. He was a gentle giant of a man and saw humor in life. In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions are encouraged to the International Dementia Research Foundation, a 501(C)3 nonprofit charity providing dementia and Alzheimer's research, information and advocacy. http://www.idrfoundation.org ------------- Written, submitted and lovingly maintained by his daughter, Laura Stewart Breite. Obituary Stewart, David G., 79, of La Habra, passed away on Feb. 27, 2010. Born Jan. 30, 1931 in Toronto, Canada. Survived by his wife Donna, four children, two step-children and fourteen grandchildren. Memorial Services to be held Friday, March 26, 2010 at 1:00pm at Buena Park Elks Lodge 7212 Melrose St., Buena Park, CA 90621 (714)-522-2853. Additional Comments: Find-a-Grave Memorial #49042544 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/orange/obits/s/stewart4748gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 6.1 Kb