Stewart, John Miller
It is with deep sadness that the family of John Miller Stewart announces his passing on August 29, 2023, peacefully at home, with his beloved wife Angela and his children at his side.
John was born on May 11, 1948, in Aberdeen, Scotland, to his parents John and Lily. He was a perfect, golden-curled baby who his mum described as gentle and kind from the moment he was born. That caring and compassion would stay with him for the rest of his life. He was equally adored by his grandparents and his cousin Marion, who considered him her baby brother. His trip home to see Marion on her 70th birthday in 2016 brought them both to tears.
His childhood in post-war Aberdeen was idyllic – playing in his grandparents’ yard and at the beach with his cousins and his little sister Patricia, with regular trips to nearby Balmoral Castle and the River Dee. In 1959, the family immigrated to Canada. It was a move that broke his Grandpa Miller’s heart. He pleaded to have John and Patricia stay, but his mum couldn’t leave them behind.
They arrived in Prince George, BC, when John was 11 and Pat was eight. It was a tough transition, and they were both teased mercilessly for their Scottish accents and for not understanding Canadian customs. On their first Halloween, the kids at school convinced them it was customary to egg neighbors’ houses. They caught on fast, and John soon made many friends. In June 1960, a younger brother, Colin, was born, and in April 1968, his sister, Sheena, made the clan complete. As siblings, they shaped each other’s lives, with the love, respect, and adoration for John always visible.
He was a gifted hockey player and a talented drummer in the Prince George pipe band. A hard worker from a young age, he took on several jobs, including running a drive-through restaurant in Quesnel, BC, in the early 70s. It was there that his boys, Jeffrey and Justin, were born. While John was exceptional at many things, there was nothing he loved more than being a dad.
A move to Alberta followed, and John began working as a salesman at what was then Doherty’s Motors, first in Barrhead and later in Westlock. Sales was his passion and his gift. People who bought from John soon discovered that his honesty and commitment to service were unmatched. He didn’t just sell you a vehicle, he took care of you and your family. Over the years, customers would return again and again to purchase vehicles from him, and as their children and grandchildren needed vehicles, they brought them to John.
Westlock was where John raised his boys, coaching hockey and chauffeuring them to games and practices, and where he built his career. Most importantly, it was where he met the love of his life, Angie, and welcomed her two children, Michael and Alison, and the entire Savage family into his heart. John and Angie married on August 26, 1995, and spent 28 blissful years together. They were perfectly matched and were each other’s best friends. His cancer diagnosis in 2021 tested their strength and shortened their time together, but their love never faltered.
John was a remarkable man, funny, kind, quick-witted and fastidious. His garage is a monument to organization and order. He was Scottish through and through, with all the stubbornness, tenacity, and loyalty you would expect from a Highland lad. He was predeceased by his mother, Lily Stewart, in 1992, his father, John Stewart, in 2002, his mother-in-law Mary Wharton in 2005 and his younger sister Patricia Hearn in 2016.
He is survived by his wife and soulmate, Angie (nee Savage), his Sons Jeffrey (Zoe), Justin (Marianne), Michael (Rhea) and Daughter Alison (Brodie); grandchildren, Gabrielle, Kaitlyn, Connor, Elliott, Cain, Natalie and his great-grandson Leo. He is also survived by his brother Colin (Betty), sisters Sheena (Kevin) and Marion (Doug) along with his extended brothers, Don (Geri), John (Florence), Richard (Karen), as well as many nieces, nephews, and other family members. He will be especially missed by his puppy Scottie, who stayed by his side through his darkest days and nuzzled him in his final hours. He fought to stay as long as he could, and our lives will never be the same without him.
John’s wishes were to pass at home, and this was made possible by the relentless support of all of John’s children, his brother Colin and sister Sheena. The countless check-ins, support, sleepless nights, and Scottie-sitting all made the transition as easy as possible. The family extends its gratitude to the exceptional healthcare team who cared for him, particularly Dr. Magali Bernard, who went above and beyond to ensure he left this world the way he wanted.
As per John’s wishes, there are no services planned. He was private and proud and never wanted anyone to make a fuss. A small celebration of life for family will be held later. The family asks that friends remember him by doing something kind for those who are struggling or alone, as he often did. Donations in his memory can be made to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Canada or the Canadian Cancer Association.
You can remember him and only that he is gone
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on,
You can cry and close your mind, be empty, and turn your back,
Or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes, love, and go on.
Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.westlockfuneralhome.com
Westlock Funeral Home & Crematorium Ltd.
780-349-3474
