MARK STEWART
On the morning of July 4, 2018, the world lost a great man. He was a man of vision, warmth, and, humour. Mark William Stewart, age 61, was a devoted husband to wife, Kristi, and loving father to son, Brendan. Cherished son of Marilyn Stewart and the late Melvin Stewart. Beloved brother of Mary Lynne Stewart-St. John (Neil St. John). Loving uncle to Emma St. John and Andy St. John.
Born and raised in London, Ontario, Mark attended Sir Frederick Banting High School and The University of Western Ontario. Pursuing his passion for real estate at an early age, he took a job as a realtor with John Thiel Real Estate in his hometown of London. His father, Melvin Stewart, owned several grand old homes and buildings in London, some of which were listings with John Thiel. Mark enjoyed trying to sell those properties.
But, Marks dream had always been to practice law. He wanted to fulfil that dream and, moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he attended Oral Roberts University, receiving an MBA in 1983, and, eventually attending the O.W. Coburn School of Law, where he received his American Law degree (JD) in 1986. Being a man of adventure, he moved to Oklahoma City, where he worked at a local law firm gaining experience in his field of choice. It was there, that he would soon meet his future wife Kristi on a blind lunch date in 1988 (they would marry in the Spring of 1989).
However, Mark missed Canada, and wanted to go home to practice law. He did so, in the fall of 1988, where he attended law school at Queens University in Kingston, completing his Canadian Law Degree (LLB) in 1990. After receiving his second law degree, Mark worked as an associate at Fraser & Beatty in Toronto, soon to merge and become Fraser, Miller, Casgrain, then, DENTONS. He was called to the Canadian Bar in 1992. As a partner, and successful corporate litigator, Mark had the opportunity to work with such clients as: Toyota Canada, CN railway, Ellis Don, Canada Post, Otis Elevator, BMO, Deutsche Bank, UTC Fire and Securities and many more.
In June 1995, his son, Brendan Charles was born. He would always say “yay, another ginger in the world!”
But, what made Mark the most happy was spending his summers in Bayfield on Lake Huron, where he and his wife owned two lovely lakeside cottages and, co-owned several retail properties on its Main Street. He would be his happiest, sitting on the deck, surrounded by his friends, listening to his favorite tunes. Music made his heart sing, his humor made his friends laugh. I’m sure his spirit is there now.
A Celebration of Life will be held at London Gospel Temple, 288 Commissioners Road W. at Andover on Saturday, July 14 at 1 p.m. Memorial contributions to Diabetes Canada or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.