Stewart, Joseph, age 80, of Lanark, Antigonish County passed away on September 30, 2016 at home.
A "home boy", Joe was raised by Mike and Mary Gillis of Lanark.
Joe was a well known businessman, community volunteer and political organizer. His business ventures included owner- operator of the national and international consulting business, Stewart Consultants; owner-operator of Pizza Delight Restaurants in New Glasgow and Halifax; Lew’s Family Restaurant, New Glasgow; Stewart’s Video Home Entertainment Center and Stewart’s Jackets, New Glasgow. In 2006 Joe was honored by Hockey Canada in appreciation for his thirty-five years of involvement with Junior "B" Hockey. He was president of the Junior "B" Bulldogs Hockey Club for twenty years and was a Lifetime Member of St. F.X. University President’s Club. Joe was the recipient of an Honorary Degree from St. Francis Xavier Univeristy in 1975. He was actively involved with the Progressive Conservative Party in every provincial and federal election for over sixty years, organizing campaigns and supporting candidates. He was a tireless volunteer for charitable and sports organizations, including active involvement with the Canadian Association of the Mentally Handicapped and was an avid supporter and fundraiser for the St. F.X. Football team.
Joe is survived by his wife, the former Patricia Leahy, sons: Rudy (Robena), Lanark; Stephen (Elia), Ottawa; Jason (Heather) Lanark; grandchildren: Jamie (Shannon), Angela (Chris), Zachary and Caitlin; great grandsons: Eli, Gavin and Chase; siblings: William (Paulette) Durant, Sackville, N.B.; Judy (Everett) Grace, William’s Point; sisters-in law, Evelyn Gillis, Dartmouth, Joan Gillis, Halifax, Paula Gagnon, Dartmouth; brother-in-law, Jim Nicodemus, Chelmsford, Mass
He was predeceased by brothers, Bernard Gillis, William "Bill" Gillis and Albert Gagnon; sister, Marilyn.
Visitation will be in C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street, Antigonish on Monday, October 3rd from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Ninian Cathedral on Tuesday at 11:00 am. with Reverend Donald MacGillivray presiding. Private burial in Paddy Hollow Cemetery, Harbour Centre.
Family flowers only please. Memorial donations may be made to Xaverian Scholarship and Bursary Fund, c/o St. F.X. University, P.O. Box 5000, Antigonish, N.S. B2G 2W5.
Online condolences: www.clcurry.com