Stewart Adams Withee, Sr.

In Loving Memory of Stewart A. Withee, Sr

A Life Very Well Lived

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Stewart A. Withee, Sr., who left us on the morning of April 11, 2025 at the age of 94, resting peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones.  Stewart was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend whose warm-hearted presence and infectious laugh enriched the lives of all who knew him. His memory will be cherished by his wife of 40 wonderful years, Karen Withee; his sons Stewart Withee, Jr and his wife Jill Withee, Charles Withee and his wife Laurie Withee and Frederick Withee; his beloved stepchildren Stuart (Rusty) Randall and Robin Stacy and her husband Douglas Stacy (deceased).

Stewart had an amazing positive impact on his grandchildren who truly adored him and will miss him greatly: Michaela Withee, Morgan (Withee) Hartnett and her husband Dean Hartnett, Robert Withee, Seth Withee, Sydney Caruso Withee, Ciana Caruso Withee, Andrew Randall, Cameron Randall, Brittany (Randall) Cortese and her husband Michael Cortese and Nicholas Stacy.  Many of them shared their fond memories with him just before he passed away and the most common memory was his Christmas Campouts on the living room floor with a fire in the fireplace and the Christmas tree lit; the tradition carried on until they were in their mid-twenties.

Stewart also leaves behind many Nieces, Nephews, Great Nieces and Nephews who all loved and adored him.  There are so many fond memories over the years with this amazing family group.  Fun visits at Grandma and Grampa Withee’s with endless vanilla ice cream cones and so many family stories and super eight movies. There were also so many memories created in Wales, MA at the cottage Grampa Withee built.  Stewart’s Nieces and nephews on the other side may also remember Sunday Spaghetti dinners at Nanna and Pappa Hardy’s complete with Star Bread.

In the Beginning

Stewart was born on January 4th 1931, in Springfield, MA to George C. Withee, Sr and Gladys MacDonald Withee. Stewart was devoted to his parents, especially his mom.  He had three brothers:  Robert, Donald and George Jr. and two Sisters, Ruth Loomis and Louise Rogerson, who all predeceased him.  Growing up, they nicknamed him Pete, which remained with many of his family and friends for his entire life.  From a young age, he exhibited an amazing talent for the game of Hockey.  His brothers and sisters all played so he started when he was 4 years old; with newspaper stuffed in the toe because the skates were too big. Stewart played Hockey well into his 80’s and had made many lifelong friends.  He taught his boys to skate and they played on Silver Lake every winter on vacations and on weekends; with so many other friends and family.  There was also a period of many years when Stewart’s team played a team from Sweden, both home and away, where many deep friendship and memories were made.

Stewart also had a passion for cycling, which he began early in life as he rode his bike to work every day. Stewart also took his boys on a 64-mile, round trip bike ride to Wales MA when they were only 12 and 13 years old.  Stewart rode an old fat tire road bike, while the boys rode more modern bikes.  Without cell phones, this was a very brave thing to do; but it was a very fond memory for Stewart and the boys.  Once he retired, he bought a nice road/race bike and really got into cycling.  Stewart had amazing friends that he cycled with and regularly did many Century rides (100 plus miles) well into his 70’s.  Stewart also did charity bike rides for many years, where he again made lifelong friends.  His son Chuck and he did many bike rides together, the last and most memorable was a 57-mile bike ride when Stewart was 85 years old.

Stewart was a member of First Congregational Church in West Springfield for 50 years and a member of the Agawam Congregational Church for the past 26 years.

Vocational Legacy

Stewart was a talented Master Mechanic.  He started out working as a mechanic for a Ford Dealership and then needed more.  He put his entrepreneurial skills to work and started his own business called Pete’s Auto Repair.  It was located right next door to his parent’s home and he had lunch with them every day.  His kids loved to visit him at work, because there was a vending machine, that dispensed the soda in the old-fashioned glass bottles.  He did that successfully for many years but wanted to spend more time with his family.  He sold the business and went to work as the lead mechanic for Witch Equipment of New England, where he worked until he retired.

Family Life on Cottonwood Lane

Stewart and Karen have a beautiful home on Cottonwood Lane in Agawam where they have lived for the past 37 years.  It has been the scene of so many family events and fun summer cookouts.  In the early years, many of the grandchildren learned to swim in their pool and how to dive from the diving board properly; and sometimes not so properly!  Christmas time was always a great time on Cottonwood, especially in the early years when Karen’s parents Popsy and Nanny were alive.  The big event was Christmas Eve, when the whole clan got together to celebrate and Popsy would make the best Manhattans for those of us who loved them; extra cherry juice to make it feel more like Christmas.  And Robin, our family professional baker, would bring Congo bars and many other treats to enjoy.  More and more grandchildren came into the picture and livened up both Christmas and the summertime.  Stewart was always there, at every event, with a big smile on his face, since he enjoyed having his family around him and we all loved to be in his warm, big-hearted presence.  

Stewart and Karen also had the wonderful opportunity to travel around the world over many years. They have been devoted to each other for 40 years as husband and wife as well as life partners; they truly meant the world to each other.  They are the center point of a family that loves them both very much.

It is very hard to say goodbye to someone that we love so much.  From time to time, we need to take stock in all that he gave us during his life, look up to the sky and give him a smile.

His youngest Grandson, Robert Stewart Withee, wrote this quote in his goodbye message to his Grampy: “Goodbye to the Best grandfather anyone could ask for.  I wish you a smooth bike ride to the other side.”

Rest in peace, Stewart. Your amazing legacy lives deeply in our hearts and minds.

There will be a private family graveside service at a later date. In Lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Baystate Visiting Nurse and Hospice, 30 Capital Drive, West Springfield, MA 01089.