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Henry McDonald Obituary
Memories and Condolences
for Henry McDonald
26 Entries
Alex Dempster
September 24, 2008
Burro Goodfellow!
Some things you never forget. Meeting you for the first time at the 1976 PHL Convention and, at least, 30 annual meetings after that. How about all the years we served together on the EC and never agreed on almost anything except the time to adjourn to the bar. When we arrived, we were still good friends. It wasn't until your term was up that I realized how much you had accomplished! Have a great flight and I'll see you again someday.
We can pick up where we left off.
David McLay
September 22, 2008
When I was first introduced to "Barefoot Stew” at the local chapter of our national aviators' fraternity in 1973, he immediately impressed me as a colourful and fascinating character. He was so popular with fellow wing-wearers that he led our group for thirty-two years. Later on he was elected to the national executive committee and became its chairman for two years, before his health started to decline.
Stew became my close friend and mentor--and the longer I knew him, the more I admired his many attributes. He was a natural leader, master of ceremonies, parliamentarian, raconteur, public speaker, and humorist extraordinaire. More importantly, Stew made others feel like they were interesting characters, too!
A World War II and Korean War-era veteran of the US Army Air Corps and the USAF, Stew’s flying background was well-known to the Quiet Birdmen fraternity. Less well-known were his accomplishments in civilian life: pre-NASCAR stock car driver & mechanic; champion water skier, pioneer barefoot water skier, and hang gliding performer for Dick Pope at Cypress Gardens; ski instructor to several Miss Americas, including Cornelia Wallace; senior judge; writer/author; TV sports announcer; television producer, making commercials for--among others--Cadillac Division of General Motors; member of the Screen Actors' Guild (SAG) and Florida Motion Pictures/Television Association (FMPTA), with minor movie roles including a walk-on part in "Strategic Air Command" and at least one unreleased “Spaghetti Western”; and television commercial roles & print advertisements for Vitalis hair dressing, outboard motors, and others.
Stew was elected President of the American Barefoot Water Skiers in 1989 and was inducted into the American Water Ski (AWSEF) Hall of Fame in 1992. He will be missed . . .
Garry Barton
September 21, 2008
Stew
The highlite of my trip to the US in the 70,s was meeting you
a guy larger than life one of natures gentlemen You will be missed !
Garry Barton
AUSTRALIA
Duncan McDonald
September 2, 2008
STWE
You have closed a magnificent and beautiful chapter in my life and in my heart. Clear skies and tail winds always. Your ever loving bruvva --Dunc
Katie with her big brother Stew 2007
September 2, 2008
Stew (on left) with his siblings Katie, Dunc and Nancy 1998
September 2, 2008
Jim Boyette
September 1, 2008
I met Stew in Waco, Texas at the first National Barefoot Waterski tournament in 1978 where he convinced me to try the barefoot jump-and I promptly "popped a rib" Ever since, I have considered him to be a very good friend and a great person.
His contributions to the sport of barefoot water skiing will never be equaled. He will be sorely missed.
Stew's portrait in the Water Ski Hall of Fame
September 1, 2008
Stew (second from left in back) with his family 1973
September 1, 2008
Stew (on left) with his family 1940
September 1, 2008
Martine Samocha
September 1, 2008
Uncle Stew:
You will be missed! I always loved your visits when I was a child. Who could forget seeing you stride across the tarmac barefoot in February! As I got older, you just became more fascinating. As sad as the occasion was, one of my fondest memories is staying with you and Dunc and Granddaddy at his condo during Grandbea's funeral. I was your "Queenie"! I am so sorry you never got a chance to teach me to waterski; I'll never learn now.
Rest in peace, Stew. I love you!
Donna "Mixon" Howard
September 1, 2008
I can't remember a time that I didn't know Stew. First in Ski Tournaments
& later in Barefoot Tournaments. He was a Special Person in Mixon family as well as the Skiing community.
He will be missed by All that knew him.
We will miss you!
Jerry, Donna , & Dwight
Oscar Mann
August 31, 2008
I too owe Stew a debt that could never be repaid in any way except to pass it on to the next generation.. That was something Stew did everyday....
I have too many strories about Stew to tell any here but thanks to all of our mutual experiences he will always be alive in my heart and mind... Stew is imortailised through his life of giving to others and I feel blessed to have been among his friends.. For years the barefoot skiers have called me Stew Jr.. We both had some habits that they found "amusing"... I take it as a compliment and realise those are some big barefeet to fill...
I am truely sorry that I wont be able to attend his services.. I now live in Australia with my wife of 24 years who I met on a trip with Stew..I am currently in Korea working for barefooting and none of this would have been possible without Stew...
Oscar "Foot" Mann aka Stew Jr.
All my best to Duncan and Sandy as well
Brad Krantz
August 31, 2008
To Stew's friends and family:
I started reading the story in the paper yesterday and immediately remembered the barefoot man that came into my business many years ago. I own a printing business and did some work for Stew. I enjoyed working with him and was impressed as I learned more about his water skiing accolades and work with the film industry. He was always very modest about his accomplishments. He was a kind and sincere gentleman, but a lot of fun to work with. I am sorry for your loss, he will be missed.
-Brad Krantz, Tampa Print Services
Don Mixon
August 31, 2008
A great friend and mentor. You will be missed.
Kate McDonald Meier
August 31, 2008
To My Big Brother, Stew:
You are now at peace with with our Jesus,Mom,Dad Nancy and Nana Kate.
I Have always loved you and admired you,and now I will miss you. But i will chat with you daily.
Love,
Your sister Kate
August 30, 2008
Stew, All your friends at Cypress Gardens wish you nothing but calm waters from Now on
Cypress Gardens Ski Team
DEBBIE WRIGHT
August 30, 2008
TO MY DEAR STEW, WE LOVE YOU. REST IN PEASE.
YOUR CAREGIVER'S
DEBBIE AND EDDIE
STEW AND MINDY
August 30, 2008
HE LOVE'S ICE CREAM
August 30, 2008
VISIT WITH FAMILY
August 30, 2008
HELLO AND GOOD BYE
August 30, 2008
DEBBIE WRIGHT
August 30, 2008
TO MY DEAR STEWY, WHO I LOVE SO MUCH, REST IN PEASE YOU WILL AWAYS HAVE PLACE IN MY HEART. YOUR CAREGIVER
DEBBIE.
Bill Lelbach
August 29, 2008
In Memoriam: Barefoot Stew McDonald (1925 - 2008)
In the middle of final dress rehearsal for this show, I got word that Barefoot Stew McDonald had died. I’ve known Stew almost all my adult life and, without him, I wouldn’t be here, running a theatre company in NY. He gave me my start in film, hiring me as a go-fer and production assistant. That quickly led directly to my career in theatre, both in Tampa and around the country.
Stew was the embodiment of individuality, and not just because he truly didn’t own shoes. Black tie events, meet the Governor, you name it, he was barefoot. Behind the individuality he cherished and encouraged in others, there was a man of generosity and brilliance. True geniuses often walk a different path; Stew certainly did. It was a path paved with his kind help to so many people in so many different fields as he mentored and encouraged people toward achieving their own goals. His interests, expertise and knowledge cut across wildly divergent fields: racecar driver, actor, airplane pilot, film and television producer, writer, TV announcer, and water skiing (in 1992 he was inducted into the Water Skiing Hall of Fame). And that’s the short list.
He had a courage of conviction about the way he should lead his life that made you realize that maybe there was something right about being different. I lived next door to Stew for a couple years, and worked closely with him for nearly 20 years. And probably spent a thousand hours sitting, working or talking with him, both professionally and on a personal level. We talked about life, and death, and the way you should live the one before the other arrived.
There are not many to whom I owe a debt I cannot repay - Stew would be at the top of that list. And when I walk barefoot, I’ll be thinking of him.
Bill Lelbach, Artistic & Managing Director, Chenango River Theatre
Janice Kerfoot Cornelius
August 28, 2008
I have so many memories of "Uncle" Stew - teaching me to ski and drive defensively, letting me practice my sewing skills on his clothing that needed mending, his enjoyment of a raw steak, the stories of his life and the practical jokes he liked to play on friends and Stew and my dad carrying white shotguns at my wedding to tease me. He lived a full life, may he rest in peace.
Jane & Jerry Williams
August 28, 2008
Stew Our great friend. We'll always remember you! Brooke, Blythe & Brynne will also, our children who so many, many years ago you taught howto swim. Rest in peace. Our love, Jane & Jerry Williams
Jane & Jerry Williams
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