"I knew Douglas through his interest in construction. We met at Hilldale in 1996. He and I became "good friends" as he would often say. I just heard of his passing today while setting up for one of his favorite events: Bratfest. Godspeed my good friend. I will miss you. Erik"
In loving memory of
Douglas John Stewart
Madison - Douglas John Stewart, age 64 passed away on Friday, June 8, 2018 at University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison after a serious illness, surrounded by family. He was born on April 8, 1954 in Harvey, IL to parents Jean and Warren Stewart.
Douglas was a proud graduate of Memorial High School in Madison, class of 1975. He also completed a Technical Degree in Culinary Arts in 2005 at Madison College.
Places of employment included Pedro's, PDQ, Kramer Printing, Walmart, Placon Corporation, Barriques, Vondra Engraving, Department of Health Services, Manchester Place, Madison Opportunity Center, Goodwill, and sitting as Santa Claus at West Towne Mall. Douglas delivered the Milwaukee Journal Sunday paper throughout Nakoma for over 15 years. He was active in boy scouts through high school.
Douglas was a longtime member of Heritage Congregational Church, where he loved watching construction of their new church facility, being in the Men's club, and helping in the kitchen.
Douglas was an avid volunteer in the Madison area. He was a 3+ gallon donor to the American Red Cross. He loved volunteering for the following organizations: Brat Fest (11 years), Concerts on the Square, 4th of July events at Westmoreland and Elver Parks, Wisconsin Public Television auctions, Jerry Lewis Telethon, Rhythm & Booms, Art Fair on the Square, Opera in the Park, Taste of Madison and many others. In his teen years he set up a Ronald McDonald Muscular Dystrophy carnival at his family home in Nakoma.
Douglas knew where every bus in Madison would take you and he knew how to get anywhere. For many years he enjoyed riding his bike throughout the city. He took a cake decorating class and delivered cakes to family members on their birthdays. He enjoyed decorating with Christmas lights and could never have enough lights. He loved to travel and especially enjoyed a Disney Cruise in the Caribbean and a trip to Hawaii. If you needed to find him, he would be at the newest construction site, observing. He loved electronics, wiring, and taking things apart to fix them.
Family meant the world to Douglas. He was a caring son, brother, and uncle. He will be missed by his mother Jean Potter Stewart, sister Marilyn (Jim) Weaver, brother David, sisters Carol (David) Ray, Margaret (Kurt) Straus, Mary Jean (Bruce) Glasgow, 19 nieces and nephews, 5 grand nephews and niece, and 17 cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Warren Earl Stewart, 4 grandparents, and 2 cousins.
A celebration of Douglas' life will be held on Saturday, June 16th at 11 am at Heritage Congregational Church, 3102 Prairie Rd, Madison, WI 53719. There will be a visitation at the church from 9 - 11 am. A luncheon will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Douglas' name to the American Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org) or 4860 Sheboygan Ave, Madison, WI 53705; Professor Warren E Stewart Memorial Scholarship Fund (#132214536) through the UW-Madison Foundation (https://secure.supportuw.org/give) or PO Box 8860, Madison, WI 53708; or Heritage Congregational Church (address above).
The family would like to thank the staff at the University of Wisconsin Hospital for their heroic efforts, including Dr. Dunbar, Dr. Aggarwal, nurses David, Nikki, Melissa, Lori, Ryan, Sam, Tracey and the cardiac team on B4/5 for their outstanding care.
The world is a better place because he was here. He allowed all of us to see the world with a different perspective. He led a full life and enjoyed it immensely. He is now at peace in heaven.
Please share your memories online at www.cressfuneralservice.com.
Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434
Tributes
"RIP Douglas. I just learned of your passing. I remember you so well from Camp Wakanda in the early 70's when I was Waterfront Director. I've been out of Madison since 82, or, I'm sure I would have happily run into you and we could have talked about Camp. "
"I am so sorry to hear about Douglas passing away. My thoughts and prayers are with the Stewart family. I have many fond memories of times shared at the Stewart home while I was in middle school and friends with Mary Jean. I would often see Douglas at bus stops around Madison over the years. I also have a brother with a disability, Jeff, so I really appreciate the ?lense? with which Douglas (Jeff) show us. It?s truly a gift! "
"I can't remember a time when I did not know Douglas. His sister Carol and I have been friends since kindergarten. Douglas was a fixture in Nakoma and everyone knew him. I was fortunate enough to see Douglas several times recently at the attic Angels Community we're both his mother and my father live. Douglas recognized me and said hello right away. Please know that he is at rest and in peace in the Kingdom of Heaven and he will be dearly missed."
"I was a member of the JMM75 class with Doug. He was such a loyal Spartan, and a great help with our last reunion Condolences to Doug's family. "
"Douglas was an avid bus rider .Douglas always sat in front on the city bus. He always was friendly. He will be missed. My condolences to all family members. "
"I was very sad to learn about Douglas? death. We met him few years ago, but I got to know him much better when he became my tenant. He was always the first to report any problems, and then advise which company to call to have it fixed. He would even provide a few other alternatives if I wasn?t satisfied with his first recommendation. While at home, he would closely oversee any repairs. He always had good advice on how to conduct the repair, which paint to use, etc.. He had an incredible zest for life which I admired. We even attempted a gardening project together (me planting corn under his supervision)... even if the corn didn't grow so well, I cherish the time we got to spend together. Douglas could light up a room just from his positive energy: "Bartek, how are you buddy today??, or ? Isn?t she nice , our Landlady? I like her." While in the house he was always King of the Living Room, sitting in a big armchair in front of TV, with all the necessities (food, drinks, phone, TV remote control, back pack, shoes) right next to him, always ready. His hearing was uncanny as well! He would always (welcomingly) interject to conversations in the kitchen that he heard from his living room throne. Douglas had made a huge difference in our lives during the few years we had known him, and we miss him terribly. With deepest sympathy, Bozena and Bartek"
"Doug you always made me laugh when you came into my deli clucking like a chicken, tho some days I wanted to throw one ay ya. Fly free now my friend, you are now in Gods hands... "
"Doug was a beloved and loving member of JMM's Class of 75. Would that we were all as positive, generous, and kind a person as he was."
"Doug made all of us who knew him smile every day. JMM Class of 75. Such a positive spirit and good man. Condolences to all of his family and friends. RIP Doug! You lived it well. "
"I had meet Douglas in many different locations around Madison. He was a helpful volunteer. He was the friendly person on the bus. He was the inquisitive person at the Sundance couches. I would see him at so many Madison events, he motivated me to volunteer more. I send my prayers to all his many friends and family who will miss him. Madison has lost one of it's brightest lights. Michelle Dayton"
"Douglas was a delightful man I first got to know him at the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon at East Towne he was always "present" not just there. He was a cheerleader, a smiling face, and a man with a heart to be jealous of. I really enjoyed being around him and thank you to his family for how great of a man they raised. Rest in peace Douglas you will be missed by many."
"Douglas was a friend of mine from Heritage church. He had a very big heart and a smile and hello for everybody. Douglas loved sports David Stokes and I would take Douglas with us to Madison College Basketball and baseball games. He was an alumni of MATC. We also went to Brewer games and enjoyed them tremendously. Douglas will be missed terribly in the halls of Heritage Congregational Christian Church. His family were charter members of the church back in 1968. Rest in peace Douglas. Heaven has received TRUE Angel. Terry Wing"
"I am in shock! Never to see Douglas on the west side again saddens me. Enjoy your new journey Douglas, I'm sure God has a construction site waiting just for you!??"
"Margaret, Mary Jean and Family, So sorry to learn of Doug's death. Thinking about your family and extending my sympathies. Warm wishes, Steve "
"I've had the pleasure of knowing Douglas since I began working at West Towne nearly 2 years ago. Douglas was at West Towne so often we considered him one of the team! He came to our holiday open house for retailers and he was the first one at the party and the last to leave! He knew EVERYTHING that was going on at West Towne and often filled me in on the happenings : ) He was a sweet, kind, funny soul. When he came to the office he would always open the main office door and shout "Hello Megan!" all the way back to my office. He always put a smile on my face and brightened my day but usually after a few minutes of chatting he would tell me to "get crackin'" or "get back to work lady!" We adored him and considered him a dear friend at West Towne. He will be greatly missed. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends. Megan Ballard, West Towne General Manager"
"I worked with douglas at placon he was a great worker while he was there. He will be missed ."
"Doug used to ride his bike all over Nakoma and I would see him almost daily in the summer. He was the first "handicapped" person I met as a youngster, and this was a true gift, because Doug taught me it was what was on the inside that matters. The years have past and I have not seen him in forever. But I have kind memories of Doug and wish him a safe and restful journey. David Dutch, Houston"
"Doug, indeed, was a proud graduate of Memorial High '75, and I'm proud to have been his friend. We will miss him very much. Peace to the Stewart family. Julie Huiras Mascitti Julie"
"I would bump into Doug all over the Madison area ? downtown on the Capitol Square, on the bus, on his bike, at special events and festivals, at The Hilldale Mall. Even though we hadn?t seen each other for years since growing up in the Nakoma neighbothood, he would quickly greet me by name with a smile and with questions about how my family was doing! He had a lively zest for life! May peace be with Doug, his mother Jean, his siblings and the rest of his family. Dave Benforado"