Jerome G. Stewart

Stewart, Jerome G. CHARLTON Jerome Gregory Stewart, 89 of Charlton, N.Y., passed away Monday, February 18, 2013 in the arms of his wife of 59 years, Dolores Stewart. Stewart was, for nearly three decades, known throughout the region as 'Mr. St. Clare's' during his disting-uished tenure as president and CEO of St. Clare's Hospital. Born on October 30, 1923. Stewart was a graduate of the Christian Brothers Academy in Albany. He served in the Army during World War II in France, where he was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. After the war he attended college at Fordham University where he received his bachelors degree and later masters degree in Social Work. He continued his higher education at Columbia University, receiving a masters degree in Health Services Administration. It was during this time that he met his wife, Dolores Mirabito of Brooklyn, N.Y. They were married on September 6, 1954. Together they had five children and moved to the Capital District in 1968. It was then that he began his dedicated and faithful service to the St. Clare's Hospital community. During this period of service he earned the esteem and affections of the trustees, medical-dental staff and employees at every level of the organization. His energy was boundless and his unwavering devotion to the mission of St. Clare's was legendary. During his three decades at St. Clare's, Stewart coordinated and implemented a $14 million expansion of the hospital campus, which included many new programs and services. Additionally, he introduced northeastern New York's first family practice residency program; achieved the creation of the St. Clare's Hospital Foundation; opened a new family birthing center and a new mother-baby unit, which was later dedicated to him. Stewart also served as president of the Hospital Association of Northeastern New York. Stewart also had a very active leadership role in the community as chairman of the United Way campaign; he was elected president of the Schenectady County Chamber of Commerce; named 1989 Boypower Chairman by the Schenectady Council Boy Scouts of America; and was also elected to The College of St. Rose Board of Trustees. His community activism was highlighted in 1995 when he was named the Schenectady County Chamber of Commerce "Executive of the Year." It is impossible to measure the impact of Stewart's leadership on the quality and health care in Schenectady and surrounding communities-beginning in the late 1960's when he was appointed the hospital's first lay administrator - and continuing through the present day. He had a vision of what a community hospital should be and created an environment where the spirit of healing flourished. Stewart was a man of faith, who led by example. He was scholarly, compassionate and good-natured and encouraged all those around him to achieve their greatness and to serve others with dignity and respect. To all those who knew him he was a mentor and teacher, a devotee of history, a fitness enthusiast, and a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He will always be known as the captain of the ship. Stewart is survived by his wife, Dolores, and his children, Rita (Thomas) of Bennington, Vt., Jay of Albany, Victoria (Patrick) of Charlton, Jennifer (Angelo) of Glenville, and Thomas (Robin) of Los Angeles, Calif.; 11 grandchildren, William (Melandrei), Jessica (Patrick), Alex, Natasha, Tara, Kate, Thomas Jr., Vitaly, Isabella, Frankie, and Sophia; and two great-grandchildren, Aiden and Ambrose Jerome. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral which will begin Tuesday morning, February 26, 2013 at 8:45 at the Gleason Funeral Home, 730 Union Street and at 10:00 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Glenville. Calling hours will be Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will be in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 (woundedwarriorproject.org)