Calvin Holmes Stewart

Calvin Stewart passed away on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 97 years old. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 61 years, Marie Cofrancesco Stewart, parents Vance and Gladys Stewart, brothers James and Chester and sister Drusilla. He is survived by daughters Lisa Jolley of East Berlin and Mary Anderson of Portland, their spouses, David Jolley and Jim Anderson, grandchildren Erica and Alan Anderson, Beth Musser and Mark Jolley, as well as Beth’s husband Nathaniel Musser and great grandchildren Parker Anderson and Aria Musser. He also leaves behind Marie’s sisters and brothers as well as many nieces and nephews.

Born and raised in New Hartford, Cal worked in his grandfather’s tobacco fields in his youth, earning a dark tan that anyone would envy. Cal was drafted into the U.S. Army at age 18 during World War II. He served in the infantry for 28 months in New Zealand and the Philippines in Battalion 172 as a Message Center Clerk. He received the Good Conduct Medal, the Victory Medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon and a Bronze Service Star for bringing in the wounded during combat.

At the end of the war, Calvin attended the Hartford School of Accounting, retiring from Eversource, where he worked until age 72. He also worked 14 years in the evenings for A&P supermarket, stocking shelves and selling Fuller Brush products to supplement the family’s income.

Cal was passionate about his lawn, mowing and fertilizing religiously, to keep the dreaded weeds at bay. He enjoyed walking and riding his bike in Veteran’s Memorial Park, picking up beer cans to turn in for nickels. He was a quiet man, with a quick wit. He was known for his silly sayings, like “The sun never sets on the British Empire.”

A wake will be held at Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church Street, Middletown, on Monday, August 23 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral service is planned for Tuesday, August 24 at 11:30 a.m. at Doolittle Funeral Home where masks are required for all indoor services.  Burial will follow in the State Veteran’s Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane, Middletown, where full military honors will be accorded. To leave a memory or message of condolence for the family, please visit https://www.doolittlefuneralservice.com/obituary/Calvin-Stewart.

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