William and Marion Stuart

STUART-William Ralph (8/19/19-8/7/07) STUART-Marion Belle (nee Woodberry) (6/6/17-8/12/07) Married June 8, 1942, William "Bill" died on August 7, 2007 and Marion "Patty" died on August 12, 2007. They lived remarkable lives filled with accomplishments, travel, children, love and laughter. Patty and Bill are survived by six children and nine grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and Patty's sister, Marjorie Wheeler of Austin, Texas, Bill, born in Buffalo, New York, received his Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration and Mechanical Engineering, with honors, from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1941. He served as Captain with the Army Air Force as an engineer from 1941 to 1946, and received MS and PhD degrees in Education from the University of Buffalo. After working in the private sector as an engineer, he became a professor and department head of Engineering at Erie Community College, in Buffalo, New York and later Dean of the Engineering Department at Niagara College, Welland, Ontario. He finished his distinguished career as Dean of Engineering at SUNY Utica in 1985. Patty was born in West Roxbury, Massachusetts and spent much of her life in the New England area before marrying Bill. She graduated from Girls' Latin School in Boston in 1934, Smith College in 1938, and Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in 1939. Bill and Patty shared a rich married life for over 65 years. Patty returned to the workforce at the Grand Island (New York) Town Hall from 1968-2004, retiring at the noteworthy age of 87. Bill was an inveterate craftsman and inventor, building several boats, homes, sportscars, and beautiful furniture. Special projects included building a summer home on Lake Erie, one of the first home windmill power generators, an amateur radio with a 70 foot collapsible antenna, and coordinating the construction of a striking crystal and metal cross at Trinity United Methodist Church on Grand Island, NY. Patty was noted for her sparkling personality, kindness, generosity, quick wit, hardworking spirit, and humorous commentaries on life. Patty and Bill instilled in their families their love of the outdoors and animals. In loving memory, contributions can be made to the hospice of your choice, or animal shelter of your choice.