On August 28, 2019 Joe Stewart, formerly of Swan River, Manitoba, passed away peacefully at the Assiniboine Centre in Brandon, Manitoba with his loving wife, Gloria, by his side.

Joe was born August 17, 1943 in Miami, Manitoba. He lived on the farm with his family and attended Mt. Nebo School and later school in Carman. Joe enjoyed playing hockey with his friends and would be seen walking the tracks to the rink many days and nights during the winter. He often bragged about being able to skate with no laces and using phones books for shin pads. Joe and his sister Glenda enjoyed going to town to watch the Rockets play hockey. During his school years, he worked in his Dad’s garage and service station. After Joe finished school he tried a few jobs, such as butchering meat at Frosted Foods in Carmen, working at Manitoba Highways and working as a mechanic at Esso’s Service station before settling on his final career.

He moved to Swan River in 1965 and worked at Powell Motors in the Parts Department. During this time he met his soul mate Gloria and they were later married in April of 1967 starting their married life together living in Carman. Joe owned and operated the Texaco service station from 1967 to 1970 and moved back to Swan River where he returned to work at Powell Motors for a few years. He was hired as the Parts Manager at Hunt Motors in 1974 where he stayed until his retirement in 2008.

Joe loved his cars and had a few different models in his youth. He spoke most fondly of his 1964 red Chevelle convertible. In 1979, he and Gloria built their cabin, Joe & Glo’s Jackpine Haven, at Wellman Lake. It was this cabin that brought family and friends together making 37 years of wonderful memories and it was these memories that brought peace to him during his last days. He loved to fish and hunt with his son, Darrin, snowmobile and get out in the bush to cut countless cords of wood. All with Gloria right by his side. He spent many hours driving the boat towing his children, grandchildren and friends and family around the lake skiing and tubing. Joe also enjoyed coaching ringette for his daughters, Kim and Kristy, many years ago and in his retirement, curling with friends. His grandchildren, Jarrett, Jillian, Matthew and Nicholas brought him much joy and laughter over the countless summers spent at the lake. He was proud of his grandchildren’s sport and academic accomplishments. Joe volunteered his time as a councillor for Wellman Lake Cottage Owners Association and as a fish fryer at the Swan Valley fish enhancement suppers. He was an intelligent man with many self-taught skills and had an exceptional memory for numbers, especially parts numbers. Neighbors at the lake could always count on Joe to help them out to fix mechanical problems, help with a construction project, blow some snow, get the water going or cut more wood.

Joe loved Gloria deeply and it was that love that sustained him through sickness and health.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife Gloria and three children, Darrin (Corinne) of Thompson, Kim of Courtney, BC and Kristy (Mark) Mabon of Brandon, as well as four special grandchildren, Matthew and Nicholas Stewart and Jarrett and Jillian Mabon. Joe also leaves to mourn his passing, brothers Dale (Katherine), Colin (Joyce), Doug (Nola), and Graham (Marg), sister Glenda (Jim) Bayliss, sisters-in-law Donna (Gilbert) Leming, Glenda (Bernie) Myszczyszyn, Cathy (Lonnie) Williamson and brother-in-law Jim (Lorraine) Schukis as well as many nieces and nephews. Joe was predeceased by his parents John and Joyce, brother Kenneth and sister-in-law Marilyn Stewart.


The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Memories Chapel, 330-18th Street North, Brandon with Pastor Roy Jamieson officiating. Joe will be laid to rest at the Brandon Cemetery. Pallbearers are Joe’s grandsons, Jarrett Mabon and Matthew and Nicholas Stewart, granddaughter Jillian Mabon and nephews Tyler Oakes and Cole Williamson. A reception will follow the interment at Memories Chapel. If friends so desire, donations may be made in Joe’s memory to CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9.