Educator, community activist.
Born at East Kildonan on 17 May 1939, one of two sons of Harvey James Stewart (1906-1975) and Ruth Isabel Phipps (1911-1967), he graduated from Lord Selkirk High School in 1957 and the Manitoba Teachers’ College in 1958. He then received BA and BEd degrees from the University of Manitoba, and was working toward an MEd degree at the time of his death.
In 1958, he began a teaching career with the River East School Division, including at Morse Place School (1959-1963, 1966-1968), John Henderson Junior High School (1963-1964), and Valley Gardens Junior High School (1979-1980s). He taught at all levels, including adult education, and was a pioneer in promoting outdoor activities. He was a co-founder of the Manitoba Outdoor Education Association, executive member of the River East Teachers’ Association, President of the River East Counsellors Association, President of the School Counsellors of Manitoba, Director and Team Leaders’ Coordinator of Organization for Cooperation in Overseas Development, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Knowles Centre, founding member of the Board of Directors of the Elmwood-Kildonan YMCA, and a co-founder of the Elmwood-Kildonan YMCA’s Men’s Club.
In recognition of his leadership and community service, he was inducted in the Order of the Buffalo Hunt (1986) and he received the R. J. Cochrane Award for his contributions to guidance and counselling, and the Sir Hugh John Macdonald Memorial Hostel Community Service Award for efforts on behalf of youth and community.
On 19 August 1961, he married music teacher Alice Mary Blair (1940-2014) at St. Martins-in-the-Field Anglican Church and they had two daughters.
He died at Winnipeg on 31 October 1986. He is commemorated by John G. Stewart School in Winnipeg, the Elmwood-Kildonan YMCA expansion, and the John G. Steward Outdoor Education Centre at the Knowles Centre.
See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Knowles School / John G. Stewart School (2069 Henderson Highway, Winnipeg)
Birth registrations [James Harvey Stewart, Isabel Ruth Phipps], Manitoba Vital Statistics.
Marriage registration [Harvey James Stewart, Ruth Isabel Phipps], Manitoba Vital Statistics.
“Announcements,” Winnipeg Free Press, 22 July 1961, page 10.
Obituary [Ruth Isabel Stewart], Winnipeg Free Press, 27 June 1967, page 32.
Obituary [James Harvey Stewart], Winnipeg Free Press, 18 July 1975, page 65.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 3 November 1986, page 26.
Winnipeg estate files (ATG 0025A), PR87-01-07349 John Gibson Stewart, GR8922, Archives of Manitoba.
Obituary [Alice Mary Stewart], Winnipeg Free Press, 24 September 2024.
We thank Gordon Goldsborough for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.
Page revised: 8 December 2024
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