Stewart, Dr. John M., 72, March 15, 2015. A memorial service and interment is planned in Thames, New Zealand.
CARIBOU & WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – Dr. John Marshall Stewart, 72, died peacefully at his home in West Palm Beach Florida after a long and courageous battle with cancer on March 15, 2015. John worked as a Radiologist at the Cary Medical Center for over 35 years along with his colleague, Dr. Mike Yaghmai, and was later joined by other physician radiologists providing diagnostic services to people in the community. He often spoke of his competent and supportive staff, spending memorable days with them.
John was born in Dunedin, New Zealand, June 18, 1942, the first of three children born to Dr. James Marshall Stewart, an obstetrician, and Helen Grant, a nurse who in her earlier years of marriage worked as a nurse in her husband’s practice.
John affectionately remembers his maternal grandfather, living with him as a young boy. He called him the “gentleman farmer.” John attended boarding schools in New Zealand from the age of nine through his high school years. Vacations were happy times during holidays with his mother and sisters and on occasion spending fun times visiting his Uncle George and Aunt Doreen’s farm in Outram, NZ, during his two weeks off from school.
John chose medicine as his career and graduated from the University of Otago Medical School in New Zealand. He interned at the Thames Hospital and at the Christchurch Hospital, then completed his residency at the Tauranga Hospital in Tauranga, NZ and at the Aukland Hospital, NZ. After completing his education, his first position was at the PW Verco Practice in Adelaide, Australia. He then moved his family to the United States, accepting a dual position at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee as an Academic Appointment Instructor and completing a Fellowship in General Diagnostic Radiology and Ultrasound at the Milwaukee County General Hospital. Two years later, he moved his family to Caribou, accepting a position at Cary Medical Center. Over the years, John experienced many radiological changes in technology and equipment which prompted him to attend additional training and education in CT scanning, MRI, and advanced ultrasound throughout the country, indicative of the devotion he felt toward his work.
John planned and traveled extensively throughout his life, traversing across Europe, Canada, Newfound-land, Ireland, his homeland, and other countries. He was an avid reader of history and science and loved to watch documentaries. He built an extensive library of books he loved over the years. He also enjoyed camping in Maine, visiting many of the beautiful gardens, trail walking and climbing in Acadia National Park. Another interest was flying. He took several courses in flying and became very knowledgeable of planes and their complexities. John’s happiest moments were those spent with his family in New Zealand for several weeks each year. He especially enjoyed the times spent with his daughters and grandchildren who affectionately referred to their grandfather as “Granddad.” He took a great interest in all their activities and accomplishments in school and sports. He especially loved the pictures, letters, and cards he received from them. His ultimate plan was to relocate to the beautiful North Island of New Zealand after his cancer treatment was completed to be with his family.
He leaves a daughter and son-in-law, Hermione and Steve Mitchell, and two grandsons, Nico and Oliver, living in Thames, NZ, and Alison Sosa and her partner Paul Gann and their children, Kaitlyn, Maya, Jamie, Charlotte, George, and Henry living in Hamilton, NZ. He also leaves his sister, Helen Land and her friend, Mike Griffiths of North Shore City, NZ, and sister, Anna Ridler and brother-in-law, Graeme of Aukland, NZ; and a step-brother, Charles Stewart and his wife, Laurraine of Whangarei, NZ. He will be sadly missed by his close friends and companion, Jackie Devoe of Caribou. Also, cousins Heather and Rosalind of Ashburton, NZ, aunt Doreen Grant of Outram, NZ, and friend, Elizabeth Schick of Thames, NZ.
He was predeceased by his father, Marshall Stewart, and mother, Helen Grant Williamson; uncle George Grant, and uncle Jack and aunt Nora Stewart.
A memorial service and interment is planned in Thames, New Zealand.
Family and friends who wish to remember John can make a donation to the Cary Medical Cancer Center, 163 Van Buren Road, Caribou, ME 04736.
