Celebrating the life of
James Albert Sterwart, Sr.
March 09, 1920 - December 10, 2009
Savannah, Georgia - James Albert Stewart, Sr., passed on December 10, 2009 at Memorial University Medical Center. He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; son of the late Albert R. and Lillian Tellier Stewart. Mr. Stewart spent his youth growing up and completing his education in North Bay, Ontario. At age 17, he moved to Montreal, Quebec and joined the Continental Can Company of Canada, Plant 59, as a can line employee. Shortly thereafter he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. After his service, he rejoined Continental Can where he ultimately became Plant Manager. In 1946 be married his wife Marielle Couture. He later went on to the University of Western Ontario earning a management certificate. He was eventually promoted to Executive Vice President of Continental Can of Canada and relocated to Toronto, Ontario in 1959. In the early 60's he was named President of Continental Can of Canada. He also served on the board of directors of the Toronto Dominion Bank. On May 18, 1964, Mr. Stewart was named Canadian Businessman of the Year by The Sales and Marketing Executives International. Later that year he was promoted to Executive Vice President, Continental Can Company in New York, NY and shortly thereafter became President of International Operations at Continental until his retirement in 1975. Mr. Stewart continued to consult for Continental Can Company after his retirement but also spent time enjoying golf, tennis and was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman.
Surviving are his wife, Marielle Couture Stewart, Savannah, GA; son and daughter in law, James A. Stewart, Jr. and Susan Stewart of Savannah; two granddaughters, Brooke Ashley Stewart and Lauren Alexandra Stewart.
Funeral Services will be private.
Remembrances: Arthritis Foundation, P. O. Box 7669, Atlanta, GA 30357 www.arthritis.org; or the National Foundation for Cancer Research, 4600 East West Highway, Suite 525 Bethesda, MD 20814 www.nfcr.org; or the Cardiovascular Research Foundation, 111 East 59th Street New York, NY 10022-1202 www.crf.org
Please sign our on-line guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com
Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel, Savannah, Georgia
Dear Marielle and Family, Nancy phoned me about Jim's passing and I was very sad to hear the news although I knew he was not well. We all have so many wonderful memories from Montreal and our last visit with you in Vegas. As long as we have those memories Jim will always be with us. He was so proud of Jim, his wife and the girls and always updated me with their news when we spoke on the phone. My thoughts are with you all during this sad time. Lots of love, Barbara
- Barbara Watson, Montreal, QC
Dear Mrs. Stewart and family, Although I never met your husband in person, I knew of him by reputation--he was a true legend in CCC circles. Had I known he lived in Savannah where I have been since 1998 I would have gone out of my way to meet with him. I owe a great deal to the Stewart family. It was Jim's brother Jack who first interviewed me for a sales position at CCC. Although I was hired to work in Toronto, good fortune returned me to Montreal where Jack mentored me I learned so much from him. As things turned out, like Jim, my career eventually took me to CCC's New York HQ in 1978. I was assigned an office immediately next to Jim's palatial office--although three years after Jim had retired, it was still as he left it in 1975. It was known as Jimmy Stewart's office, and was never reassigned to another executive. Jim was a great man who inspired so many of us by his example... his memory lives on in the minds and heart's of those he touched. Sincerely, Hugh Adamson
- Hugh Adamson, Savannah, GA
Dear Marielle, Jim and family, I am so sad to learn of Jim's passing but glad that he is at rest. I will always remember him so fondly...he was such a gentleman but also had a terrific twinkle in his eye! He was the last connection I had to my grandparents, the Watsons.My love and thoughts are with you all.
- Nancy Svendsen, San Francisco, CA
Fresh out of Engineering at the University of Toronto in 1962, Jim interviewed me for my first job at Continental Can where I spent the next 29 years. I remember how proud we were when he was named Canadian Businessman of the Year in 1964. Those were the good old days!
- Art Elliott, Markham, ON
Dear Marielle and family, I was so sad to hear about Jim's passing when I read the Globe and Mail this morning. He was a wonderful man and I have fond memories of both of you at our home in Montreal. Dad and Mom Charles and Shirleycherished Jim and your friendship through the years and Marielle you were of great comfort to me with your phone call after Mom passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Debra Brown, Daniel, Christian and Charles-Adrian Lessard.
- Debra Brown, Ottawa, ON
Dear Mrs. Stewart and family, I'm writing this on behalf of my Mom, Terry Cameron. She was very saddened to hear about Jim's passing and wants you to know you and your family are in her thoughts and prayers. My Dad, Jim, worked for Continental Can Company both in Montreal and Toronto and was a good fishing buddy of Jim's. She would like to send you a note, but has lost your address. She still lives at 1510 Spring Road with my brother Scott. I too have fond memories of when you both lived in Oakville and will keep you and yours in my prayers. Sincere condolences, Terry and family
- Terry Cameron, Mississauga, ON
Dear Marielle and Family, Nancy phoned me about Jim's passing and I was very sad to hear the news although I knew he was not well. We all have so many wonderful memories from Montreal and our last visit with you in Vegas. As long as we have those memories Jim will always be with us. He was so proud of Jim, his wife and the girls and always updated me with their news when we spoke on the phone. My thoughts are with you all during this sad time. Lots of love, Barbara
- Barbara Watson, Montreal, QC
Dear Mrs. Stewart and family, Although I never met your husband in person, I knew of him by reputation--he was a true legend in CCC circles. Had I known he lived in Savannah where I have been since 1998 I would have gone out of my way to meet with him. I owe a great deal to the Stewart family. It was Jim's brother Jack who first interviewed me for a sales position at CCC. Although I was hired to work in Toronto, good fortune returned me to Montreal where Jack mentored me I learned so much from him. As things turned out, like Jim, my career eventually took me to CCC's New York HQ in 1978. I was assigned an office immediately next to Jim's palatial office--although three years after Jim had retired, it was still as he left it in 1975. It was known as Jimmy Stewart's office, and was never reassigned to another executive. Jim was a great man who inspired so many of us by his example... his memory lives on in the minds and heart's of those he touched. Sincerely, Hugh Adamson
- Hugh Adamson, Savannah, GA
Dear Marielle, Jim and family, I am so sad to learn of Jim's passing but glad that he is at rest. I will always remember him so fondly...he was such a gentleman but also had a terrific twinkle in his eye! He was the last connection I had to my grandparents, the Watsons.My love and thoughts are with you all.
- Nancy Svendsen, San Francisco, CA
Fresh out of Engineering at the University of Toronto in 1962, Jim interviewed me for my first job at Continental Can where I spent the next 29 years. I remember how proud we were when he was named Canadian Businessman of the Year in 1964. Those were the good old days!
- Art Elliott, Markham, ON
Dear Marielle and family, I was so sad to hear about Jim's passing when I read the Globe and Mail this morning. He was a wonderful man and I have fond memories of both of you at our home in Montreal. Dad and Mom Charles and Shirleycherished Jim and your friendship through the years and Marielle you were of great comfort to me with your phone call after Mom passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Debra Brown, Daniel, Christian and Charles-Adrian Lessard.
- Debra Brown, Ottawa, ON
Dear Mrs. Stewart and family, I'm writing this on behalf of my Mom, Terry Cameron. She was very saddened to hear about Jim's passing and wants you to know you and your family are in her thoughts and prayers. My Dad, Jim, worked for Continental Can Company both in Montreal and Toronto and was a good fishing buddy of Jim's. She would like to send you a note, but has lost your address. She still lives at 1510 Spring Road with my brother Scott. I too have fond memories of when you both lived in Oakville and will keep you and yours in my prayers. Sincere condolences, Terry and family
- Terry Cameron, Mississauga, ON
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
