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Robin Upton posted a condolence
Monday, October 3, 2022
I got to know Bob when I leased business premises at the Avondale Corporate Centre from 2002 to 2013. Bob, then in his 80's, was at work every day, taking on a myriad of duties at the centre. Within a week he knew my name and what I did and he never forgot, always stopping to say hello and to have a quick chat whenever our paths crossed. In all our dealings, business and otherwise, he was always forthright, honest and kind. I'm proud to have known him.
My wife Barb and I extend our deepest condolences to the whole Stewart family.
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Chris and Patricia Doig posted a condolence
Sunday, September 25, 2022
How very very sorry both Tish and I are to have heard of Bob's passing. Our deepest sympathies go out to your family. We have so many warm and wonderful stories it would take pages to fill about how much of a wonderful man he was. Such a caring gentleman, with a warm sense of humour and always showed respect to us. Dedicated to his business and always thinking how he could make it better. An entreprenuer in many ways. All Bob ever wanted was an honest effort, He worked so hard it was almost a fault of his, We were just starting a family and we couldn't have done it without his help. But always had time to find out how our kids were and somehow remembered our past conversations. Committed beyond belief, even came out one Christmas morning to our store to deliver product that we ran out of. Service like that can never be found again this day and age, Bob and I always some interesting conversations but he always had some terrific ideas. Most important one was the last one where he smiled and wished us luck and Thanked us. We will always have so much respect for him. God Bless you Bob. You may take a few days off now and rest. However somehow I have a feeling your up there thinking how I can make this place better! Thank you. And again our deepest condolences,Larry, to you and your Family. Love Chris and Patricia Doig and Family
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Michael Hayes posted a condolence
Saturday, September 24, 2022
To my old friend Larry, know this. Your dad, Bob Stewart, was a great man. He gave me the opportunity to work with you and the rest of the few selected Laura Secord guys to do anything and everything at the dairy. We drove trucks - big trucks - delivering dairy products to homes, stores, restaurants and even ships on the Welland Canal. Every day when I would come in, I talked to your dad briefly and he was always so kind and gentle but he let me know what he expected me to do each day. I was still doing home deliveries under your dad's guidance back then in the small trucks that had no seat but a big tall stick shift and I stood up all day to drive it. Also drove the double-axle ice cream trucks and I was 17! What great trust from your dad.
Some of the best memories of my life. I celebrate the life of Bob Stewart. One of a kind and he made a huge impact and leaves an ever-lasting legacy. God bless all of you as you mourn the passing of a man I admired.
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GRANT ARMSTRONG posted a condolence
Friday, September 23, 2022
Robert (Bob) G. Stewart; A man I consider to be my first mentor passed away this week at the age of 95 after a long and successful career. He was an entrepreneur, innovator, employer, environmentalist, father, husband, and grandfather.
I started my full-time career in 1975, working for Avondale Dairy in the shipping and warehouse department. Bob Stewart was the General Manager, having just recently sold the dairy to Beatrice Foods. I recall that he and his brother Frank started the dairy and Avondale Stores. Bob was also responsible for creating several other successful enterprises, too many to name here.
He was a gentleman and a model you could look up to. Hard to find that in our leaders today. I was lucky enough to have the occasion to talk and get guidance from him. I learned the best part of leadership from him; integrity, loyalty, hard work, and honesty, to name a few. These are qualities many of our politicians and business leaders are lacking today.
I could tell many inspiring stories I experienced in interactions with him. Still, time and space will only allow me to share one.
We were building a new ice-cream storage facility on the Avondale property in Niagara On The Lake in the late 1970s. We had stopped making ice cream, so the products had to be shipped from another Beatrice facility in Simcoe. We needed a massive freezer to store hundreds of skids of ice cream and novelty products (popsicles, fudgesicles, ice cream sandwiches, etc. Workers had just completed the foundation and were getting ready to pour the floor when I noticed over three days that work had stopped. I saw Bob later that third day and asked him why the work had stopped. He said to me, "we were only going to put 3 inches of insulation in the floor, which is recommended for this type of building, but after asking around, I found out if we put 6 inches in, we could slow down the loss of refrigeration and safe money keeping the product frozen, so I told them to stop until we could make the change'. I said, isn't this going to cost a whole bunch of money and slow us getting product out of Simcoe? Bob said, "if we don't start thinking about the environment and how we use and conserve energy, there won't be anything left for our kids and grandkids. This was in 1978, long before Al Gore and climate change became fashionable. Bob was already looking at the future.
You see, great leadership transcends just making money. It's about caring about your employees and society, spending your resources wisely and doing no harm, not destroying the environment we live in, and playing the long game. Bob did all those things and more.
RIP Bob Stewart; I appreciate all you did for me and thinking about the future for my kids and grandkids.
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Rick Vanderkuip posted a condolence
Friday, September 23, 2022
Our condolences on Bob's passing. He was always ready to offer advise when asked, always remembered our names and was well-respected in the community.
We trust that the comfort of family and friends will allow for a smile knowing a life well-lived.
Regards, Rick and Debbie Vanderkuip
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Barbara Walsh posted a condolence
Thursday, September 22, 2022
So sorry for your loss. I remember him as a very friendly man at the dairy bar. He knew my parents, Bob and Marjorie Walsh, and he knew my name and all my siblings names.
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Don and Bette Nunnenmacher posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Bob was always so good to us country kids - hiring us with just a look - 15 years old - one of the best jobs - it was there Donny - (who delivered milk and such to the boats) and I met - dated and married - Bob and Barbara danced at our wedding - what a wonderful man - heaven admitted a marvellous man. Condolences to Barbara and family - with love from Don and Bette Nunnenmacher
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The family of Robert George Stewart uploaded a photo
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
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A Memorial Tree was planted for Robert Stewart
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
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