Obituary of Horace McArthur Stewart
When asked to describe Horace Stewart, I would describe him as “The man with a vibrant laughter and a smile that brightens any dark day.”
Horace McArthur Stewart, affectionately called Stew, was born on January 22, 1964, in Kingston, Jamaica to Myrtle and Harold Stewart. He attended and graduated from Windward Road All-Age School in Kingston, and Excelsior High School also in Kingston, Jamaica where he excelled academically, athletically, and socially. He participated in Spelling Bee and was a member of the debate and track and field teams.
Upon migrating to Canada in 1983, Horace attended Midland Avenue Collegiate Institute in Canada. Afterwards, he continued his studies at Scarborough Community College, and then York University majoring in Computer Literacy. Horace built a career in Technology and Systems Support working for a number of companies in Canada, including Northern Telecom as well as the Toronto Sun. He later opened his own computer store. He also worked as a life insurance agent before his battle with kidney disease took a toll on him.
Horace was an active member of the Crossing Church in Ruskin, Florida, and the Iron Men men’s group, before his illness prevented him from attending church regularly. He was an ardent reader, health researcher, encourager, talker, and listener. Even on his darkest days, his smile was ever present, his voice was strong, and his laughter vibrant. If you needed someone to talk with, listen to you and pray with you, Horace was that person. Furthermore, Horace was always the life of the party because of his outgoing and vivacious personality.
Horace and Gwen met at Windward Road All Age School in Kingston, Jamaica. They passed the Common Entrance Scholarship Exam and matriculated to Excelsior High School where they remained close friends and only lost contact when Gwen migrated to the United States in 1981. They reconnected via Facebook during the planning of the XLCR Class of 1980 reunion to celebrate 30 years post-graduation. The two fell in love and were married in December 2009. Anyone who knows Horace would have been privy to his countless retelling of their love story.
We will mourn the man who is gone, whom we lost so soon, but we will remember him, and moreover remember that he would want us to remember him as he lived: Caring, bubbly, and humorous. We put him to rest today. Although his body has disintegrated, his spirit, his soul, his amazing personality, zest for life, and willingness to serve others will live on with us.
Horace went to rest on September 21, 2023, in Riverview, Florida. He is survived by his mother Myrtle Stewart, ex-wife Gwendolyn Richards, son Jaydin Richards, brothers Lance Stewart, Gary Stewart, and Oneil Stewart; sisters Lisa Stewart and Atiya Stewart; uncles and aunts, nieces and nephews, cousins, close childhood friends Sean Walker aka Clint, Judy Grant and a host of other families and friends. Horace is preceded in death by his father Harold Stewart.
A Gathering will take place on Saturday, October 14, 2023, from 10 am to 11 am at Sun City Center Funeral Home located at 1851 Rickenbacker Dr, Sun City Center, FL 33573. A Funeral Service will take place at 11 am with a reception to follow.