HUGH STEWART

November 24, 1945 – January 23, 2026 Hugh Stewart was born in Smiths Falls, Ontario, to Denise (De Hertel) and Sherald (Ned) Stewart. Hugh graduated from Bishop's University in 1967 before attending the University of Sussex as a Mackenzie King scholar, where he earned an M.A. in English in 1969. He also attended the University of New Brunswick and years later became a Forest Technician at Algonquin College in Pembroke, Ontario where he then taught Forestry for several years. A self-described "canoe, tree, wood, and wilderness enthusiast," Hugh discovered canoe-tripping and the Canadian North in the 1950s as a camper at the original Camp Temagami on Lake Temagami. So began a lifelong passion for traditional wilderness travel and a dedication to its icon, the canoe. He started Headwaters in 1975 with several guides from Camp Temagami where he taught summer and winter wilderness travel skills to many and led countless expeditions in the Canadian North. He moved to Wakefield, Quebec in 1985 and established a wood-canvas canoe-building company under the Headwaters name. He continued to paddle each summer with Cathie and many dear friends extensively throughout the Canadian North where he shared his knowledge and passion for traditional wilderness travel with countless fellow enthusiasts along the way. In the early 2000s Hugh joined the next iteration of Camp Temagami as a co-owner, mentor, and canoe builder. In his book Canoe Trails and Shop Tales, he passed on stories and lessons about life in the canoe shop and on the trail. He also republished historical accounts of northern travel with Patrick McGahern and Bob Cockburn, helping to preserve Canada's literature of the north. Hugh was a civic-minded and engaged community member; dedicating many hours to volunteering on the Save Maple Mountain Committee and the Board of Directors of the Canadian Ski Marathon. He often donated his time and tools to clear portages and campsites, ensuring they were left in fantastic shape for those that came behind him. He valued living by the rhythms of the seasons and the comforting routines of each day: summers on the trail doing "research and development"; winters in the canoe shop working alongside his colleagues and friends. Hugh fought a long and courageous battle against Parkinson's. He was a loving, loyal, and adventurous partner to Cathie Campbell for 35 years. He was a very proud father to Brandy and Alec; a wonderful stepfather to Ian (Lisa), Robert (Allegra), and Brian (Amber); and Grandpa to Eliot, Rylee, Cayden, Jasper, and Linden. He was a mentor to Jamie Bartle and Kate Prince, to whom he passed on his wood-canvas canoe business. Hugh will be remembered by all those that knew him for his lively conversation and quick, sharp wit. It was a rare moment to catch him without a new joke to share or a well-timed comeback. He was a passionate reader and writer and loved the Ottawa Senators, ice cream, and his dogs. Hugh inspired many people with his mental and physical resilience, humour, and courage. Hugh's family is deeply grateful to the staff at the CHSLD in Masham for their extraordinary care and compassion during Hugh's final months. A celebration of life will be held at the Wakefield Community Centre in the spring on Sunday, April 19th, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to the Jean Wansbrough Leadership Training Fund (www.jwltf.com/charitable) or to Parkinson Canada (www.parkinson.ca).