Al STEWART

STEWART, Al (Allan Kingston)
Died on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 after a valiant struggle with unfortunate complications following surgery. Al's untimely death is sadly mourned by his children, Nancy and Bryan (Shawna Arsenault), his grandchildren, Gregory and William, and his life-long friend, Yvonne. Al was born in Toronto on November 22, 1935 and lived there all his life. He established many networks of friends over his lifetime. He was an enthusiastic rink rat and baseball player at Rolph Road Public School and Leaside High School. He was a fastball pitcher in the Kew Beach league. He made forays into law at Osgoode Hall and Commerce & Finance at the University of Toronto. All through high school and university Al worked at Maple Leaf Gardens selling programs and serving as a junior assistant for Conn Smythe until he graduated into full time work in public relations. He later became Executive Assistant to Harold Ballard. From there he established his own multi-media production company, creating films and videos for intermissions on Hockey Night in Canada, including creating Coach's Corner with Don Cherry, and producing coaching and instructional sports and safety programs. He ended his career doing communications work for Steve Stavro at Knob Hill Farms and his various enterprises. Al coached minor league hockey at Leaside. He was active for a time with the Leaside Rotary Club and was a passionate Director for The Dr. Tom Pashby Sports Safety Fund. He kept in touch with neighbours over the years and made friends with shopkeepers, and staff and customers in his favourite restaurants. He loved exploring and photographing Canada by car, rail and boat. His friendliness, wry humour and generosity will be missed by many. Private funeral arrangements. For those who knew him, a celebration of Al's life will be held at The Estates of Sunnybrook, McLean House, 2075 Bayview Ave. Toronto, on Tuesday, July 28 from 3 to 5 PM. To help his young grandsons know more about their grandfather, any brief story or meaningful photo for a Memory Book would be appreciated. If you wish to make a donation in Al's memory, please consider giving to The Dr. Tom Pashby Sports Safety Fund, c/o Bill Pashby, 40 King Street West, Suite 4400 (WTP), Toronto, ON, M5H 3Y4.