Obituary of Robert "Stew" Stewart ASH

August 14, 1939 - January 7, 2020

Stew Ash, beloved husband of Marilyn (née Smith) of Calgary, passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at the age of 80 years.

Stew was born on August 14, 1939 in Calgary, AB. He attended Crescent Heights High School and graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1961. He worked as an accountant for Mobil Oil and also earned his Bachelor of Education in 1971. Teaching was his true passion and he spent most of his career teaching at Western Canada High School until he retired in 1998. He was also a member of the Gyro Club of Calgary. Stew loved being with his family, as well as gardening, watching sports, and collecting stamps and coins. He especially loved spending time at the family’s cabin, in Waiparous Alberta which he helped build with his father in 1965. Stew also loved summer family holidays spent on the West Coast. Other memorable trips with his wife Marilyn, included Canada’s East Coast in 2005 and Scotland in 2009. Stew will be remembered for his genuinely kind and compassionate nature. He was a true animal lover, spoiler of his pet dogs and enjoyed feeding and watching the birds and squirrels in his backyard. He was a generous man with great integrity and humbleness. A true gentleman who loved his family above all.

Besides his loving wife Marilyn, Stew is survived by his son Jason and his wife Sara Ash of Calgary; daughter Christine Ash and her husband Sean Rourke of Edmonton; and three grandchildren, Jayme Ash and Monroe Ash of Calgary and Calli Rourke of Edmonton. He is also survived by his sister Lillian Torrrie of Medicine Hat. He was predeceased by his parents Beatrice and George Douglas Ash.

A Memorial Service will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th Street SE, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.  Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made in a charity of your choosing or in Stewart’s name to The Calgary Humane Society, 4455 – 110th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB  T2C 2T7, Telephone: (403)205-4455, www.calgaryhumane.ca. 

A tree will be planted in living memory of Stew Ash. McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th STREET SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6, Telephone: 403-203-0525.