GLOWING and emotional tributes flowed yesterday at the memorial service for Gordon Leslie Stewart, former Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) engineer and father of hotel magnate Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart and businessman Peter Stewart.

Despite the sombre occasion, few could last the entire length of the two hour service without smiling or chuckling as they remembered the man who, according to his grandson, Bobby, “always had many funny jokes on hand, none of which can be told here (in church)”.

Stewart, who passed away last Thursday at his St Andrew home after a long period of illness, was instrumental in the formation of the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC), and was one of the first engineers to work at the station when television was introduced to Jamaica. For his pioneering contributions, he was added to the JBC Honour Roll in 1994 as part of the corporation’s 35th anniversary celebrations.

“Daddy Stew”, as he was popularly called, was eulogised by long-time friend Egerton Wynter as “an altruist who lived for other people,” a “disciplinarian and philanthropist” with a riotous sense of humour and a kind word for everyone.

“His finest achievement is the fact that he has left three remarkable Jamaicans, Butch, Pat and ‘wash belly’ Peter… what would we be in Jamaica without the Honorable ‘Butch’ Stewart? With a legacy like that, can we forget this man?” asked Wynter.

Stewart, apparently, was aware and proud of his children’s achievements.

“Gramps said he was the luckiest man in the world to see his children grow to be so successful,” said his grandson, “he passed away a happy and contented man whose life had been fulfilled in a number of ways.”

Also participating in the service were Stewart’s other grandchildren, Jamie and Adam Stewart, Joanna Hawryluk and Brian Jardim, who each delivered prayers of the faithful. Musical tributes from contralto Darcy Tulloch and William Adamson touched all those present, with the latter’s rendition of ‘Pannis Angelicus’ eliciting tears from many.

A visibly overwhelmed Monsignor Richard Albert, in his homily, described Stewart as “human to the core, full of life and in his own real and precious way, a religious man,” whom he had been sent to minister to, but who ended up ministering to him, a man of the cloth.

“Daddy Stew was bigger than life in so many ways,” he said, challenging the congregation to “live boldly with dedication and a deep sense of gratitude for life.”

Mourners included a virtual “who’s who” list of Jamaican society, which included government officials, socialites and business executives. Present were Opposition Leader Edward Seaga and his wife Carla; Tourism Minister Aloun Assamba, who represented the prime minister; state minister for tourism, Wykham McNeill, along with opposition MPs Audley Shaw, Mike Henry, Karl Samuda, and Pearnel Charles.

Also in attendance were deputy chairman of Air Jamaica, Chris Zacca; ATL executive, Dr George Philip; former hotelier Peter Rousseau and family friend from St Lucia, Mike Chastanet.

Monsignors Richard Albert, Ken Mock Yen and Fathers HoLung, Kong and Pascal officiated.

In closing his remembrance, Bobby Stewart reminded everyone of his grandfather’s signature phrase, “I love it! I love it! I love it!”

Gordon Leslie Stewart is also survived by his wife Jean, daughter Pat and numerous grand and great grand children.

Cremation will follow at a later date.