Rev. Alexander T. Stewart will be remembered not only as a faithful minister, but also as someone deeply involved in the Clarkston community.
Stewart, most recently of Auburn, Ala., died on Jan. 15, 2005 at age 82. He was the founder and rector of Clarkston’s Episcopal Church of the Resurrection for 27 years, and retired to Alabama 18 years ago.
‘He always took time to listen,? said Judy Roeser, a long-time parishioner who remembers being a young wife during Rev. Stewart’s tenure. ‘He was always cheerful. He always had a smile on his face.?
Roeser said Rev. Stewart enjoyed his Scottish heritage and, ‘he played on that.?
Fellow church member Mike Spillum agreed, noting Rev. Stewart’s dedication beyond the walls of the church building.
‘He was just a neat guy,? Spillum said. ‘Alex liked to walk downtown every day, pick up a box of donuts and go down to the fire hall and hang around.?
Patience Beer, a parishioner who also serves on staff at the Independence Township Library, said Rev. Stewart was among the first to serve on a library advisory board organized when the formerly private library transferred to township supervision.
‘He was deeply involved in the establishment of the library as a township library,? Beer said.
Former township official and downtown businessman Frank Ronk did not attend the church, but said Rev. Stewart was still outgoing and concerned.
‘He was definitely a community worker,? Ronk said. ‘He spent a lot of time doing things he didn’t have to do. If someone needed help, he would help.?
Ronk and Rev. Stewart were part of a regular golfing group, and it was a congenial group.
‘He was just one of the guys,? Ronk said. ‘You felt comfortable with him.?
Rev. Stewart is survived by his wife of 56 years, Edith; two daughters, Phyllis (Steven) Frankoff of Houston, Texas and Joan Stewart (James Nudo) of Chicago; two sons, David of Albuquerque and Bruce (Cyndy) of Shelby Township; and nine grandchildren.
A memorial service was on Jan. 29 at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection.