Honoring a Veteran
Donation protected
John Stewart—Army Sharpshooter, Blues Guitarist, and Friend to all--passed away on May 16, 2018.
Anyone who met John instantly became his friend. A gentle giant, standing over 6 feet tall, in his signature baseball cap and wide-legged jeans, he always had a warm smile and an aura of sweetness.
Born July 2, 1956, grandson Virgil Stewart, a Waukegan Police officer and owner of Stewart’s Auto Body in Waukegan, son of Richard Keith Stewart and Virginia Lee Stewart. His first job was with Chicago and Northwestern Railroad at the age of 18, and at the age of 20, he joined Army out of Fort Dix, New Jersey, and was stationed in Germany. Although a pacifist and a non-violent person, he was an Expert with the M16, a Marksman with hand grenades, and a Sharpshooter with the .45 pistol. He was honorably discharged as a private first class.
Returning home to Waukegan, he became a taxi driver, which is how he met his good friend and eventual band mate, Timothy Phillips, a flutist. Every fare would be an introduction to a new friend, and he became a student of the human condition and behavior. He had a million stories to tell from these years.
While driving the taxi, he was in a bad accident that horribly affected his neck and back, and he could no longer work at all. His physical and mental ailments became too much and he began receiving disability while living at Harry Poe Manor, part of the Waukegan Housing Authority.
He loved music and was drawn to Family Piano Company to view their most recent piano and guitar acquisitions. It was at Family Piano Company that he grew closer to one of their employees, who he had met at a local wedding, Dan Hughes, a bass guitarist. Dan and John were drawn to Maxwell Street and other Chicago blues destinations, where they “jammed” with many local Chicago legends in their day.
John played lead guitar, particularly playing Chicago-style blues. He never really practiced with the band, they would just get together and play from the soul. He would perform free concerts for Housing Authority gatherings or at other community events around Waukegan such as ArtWauk. He formed the Little Fort Blues Band, named after the Native American name for Waukegan. His flutist friend Tim would join for some of these band performances. The band’s bass guitarist, Dan, soon became his very best friend, and when living conditions at the Housing Authority became unbearable, John moved out and Dan and he became roommates.
During this entire time, John was volunteering for Spay and Stay, Inc., and for Waukegan Animals Getting Saved-- rescuing animals, particularly cats, and particularly the cats that others had thrown away in the ravines of Waukegan. Even the most feral cat, who would hiss and hide from anyone else, would walk right up to John. Over the years he must have rescued well over 100 cats, and with him driving them to and from the vet, or helping trap, neuter, and release, probably prevented the unwanted cat population from reaching catastrophic proportions.
Yes, John was friends with everyone. Though he never had much money in his bank account, every teller at the bank knew him, and most of the people in the lobby would know him too. He would always find something in common with everyone he met. He would walk around Waukegan and be stopped by almost everyone on the street to say hi. He knew everyone’s name, their life story, and helped every person he knew in any way he could. When Dave Todd, a fellow animal loving volunteer passed away, John hand carved a wooden plaque in his honor for all that he had done.
At the Housing Authority, he was an advocate for his fellow residents, and was given many commendations for his community service and helpful spirit. Even with a bad back and a sore neck, he’d be the first one to help people bring up their groceries or hold the door open for others. When the building became infested with bedbugs, he led the charge and rallied over 40 residents to file a landmark Federal Civil Rights case on behalf of the poorest of the poor, despite threats of eviction.
He also volunteered at the local community garden, and would pull weeds, water the veggies, and pick tomatoes and peppers to be handed out at the food pantry. He always gave of his time and what little money he had. He never looked to anyone to help him, even though he always could use the help himself. He would drive his rickety vintage pickup truck anywhere to give anyone a ride.
He also regularly took care of a dear friend, Donna Harrell, who was like a mother to him. John would ensure that her needs were met, and he always let her know where he was and what he was doing, so that she could keep tabs on him.
Everywhere he went, John did a hundred tiny little things to show his love for others and for his community. He suffered a lot of physical and mental pain, yet despite that fact, he would still get up, get out of bed, and go out into the world as a force for good. He played the blues because he knew what pain was, and that truth and that knowledge informed each note that he played, creating beautiful music both literally and figuratively. Despite that beautiful music, he succumbed to his inner demons and unfortunately passed, apparently at his own hand, in a tragic end to a beautiful life.
Unfortunately, because he has no living next of kin that we have been able to locate, his friends are all attempting to pool their resources to provide him with the burial that he deserves. Luckily, as a member of the military, his interment at Abraham Lincoln Memorial in Elwood, Illinois, and a marker is covered. However, his cremation, the urn to be buried, and another urn that we will use to be able to sprinkle some of his ashes in some places that were important to him, will not be covered by the military.
We are left with a $3,700.00 bill from the funeral home. John had no income to speak of and there is nobody that is his friend who can afford to pay the entire amount on their own. We hope that you can “be like John” and spread a little love and donate even a small amount towards his funeral expenses. Thank you in advance for any assistance you can give.
We are planning a Memorial Service in John’s Honor at the Riverside Room at Family Piano Company from 2-4 PM on July 8, 2018. We hope that all of his friends and loved ones are able to join us in celebrating his life at that time, and share many more memories of how he was able to touch so many lives.
John left behind two cats who are being fostered, in search of a forever home. If you or anyone you know is looking for a cat, they are available for adoption.
For more information on how to donate, or about the cats, please contact Amy Lonergan or Anna Vinson of Finn & Finn, Ltd., [phone redacted], or [email redacted] or [email redacted].
Anyone who met John instantly became his friend. A gentle giant, standing over 6 feet tall, in his signature baseball cap and wide-legged jeans, he always had a warm smile and an aura of sweetness.
Born July 2, 1956, grandson Virgil Stewart, a Waukegan Police officer and owner of Stewart’s Auto Body in Waukegan, son of Richard Keith Stewart and Virginia Lee Stewart. His first job was with Chicago and Northwestern Railroad at the age of 18, and at the age of 20, he joined Army out of Fort Dix, New Jersey, and was stationed in Germany. Although a pacifist and a non-violent person, he was an Expert with the M16, a Marksman with hand grenades, and a Sharpshooter with the .45 pistol. He was honorably discharged as a private first class.
Returning home to Waukegan, he became a taxi driver, which is how he met his good friend and eventual band mate, Timothy Phillips, a flutist. Every fare would be an introduction to a new friend, and he became a student of the human condition and behavior. He had a million stories to tell from these years.
While driving the taxi, he was in a bad accident that horribly affected his neck and back, and he could no longer work at all. His physical and mental ailments became too much and he began receiving disability while living at Harry Poe Manor, part of the Waukegan Housing Authority.
He loved music and was drawn to Family Piano Company to view their most recent piano and guitar acquisitions. It was at Family Piano Company that he grew closer to one of their employees, who he had met at a local wedding, Dan Hughes, a bass guitarist. Dan and John were drawn to Maxwell Street and other Chicago blues destinations, where they “jammed” with many local Chicago legends in their day.
John played lead guitar, particularly playing Chicago-style blues. He never really practiced with the band, they would just get together and play from the soul. He would perform free concerts for Housing Authority gatherings or at other community events around Waukegan such as ArtWauk. He formed the Little Fort Blues Band, named after the Native American name for Waukegan. His flutist friend Tim would join for some of these band performances. The band’s bass guitarist, Dan, soon became his very best friend, and when living conditions at the Housing Authority became unbearable, John moved out and Dan and he became roommates.
During this entire time, John was volunteering for Spay and Stay, Inc., and for Waukegan Animals Getting Saved-- rescuing animals, particularly cats, and particularly the cats that others had thrown away in the ravines of Waukegan. Even the most feral cat, who would hiss and hide from anyone else, would walk right up to John. Over the years he must have rescued well over 100 cats, and with him driving them to and from the vet, or helping trap, neuter, and release, probably prevented the unwanted cat population from reaching catastrophic proportions.
Yes, John was friends with everyone. Though he never had much money in his bank account, every teller at the bank knew him, and most of the people in the lobby would know him too. He would always find something in common with everyone he met. He would walk around Waukegan and be stopped by almost everyone on the street to say hi. He knew everyone’s name, their life story, and helped every person he knew in any way he could. When Dave Todd, a fellow animal loving volunteer passed away, John hand carved a wooden plaque in his honor for all that he had done.
At the Housing Authority, he was an advocate for his fellow residents, and was given many commendations for his community service and helpful spirit. Even with a bad back and a sore neck, he’d be the first one to help people bring up their groceries or hold the door open for others. When the building became infested with bedbugs, he led the charge and rallied over 40 residents to file a landmark Federal Civil Rights case on behalf of the poorest of the poor, despite threats of eviction.
He also volunteered at the local community garden, and would pull weeds, water the veggies, and pick tomatoes and peppers to be handed out at the food pantry. He always gave of his time and what little money he had. He never looked to anyone to help him, even though he always could use the help himself. He would drive his rickety vintage pickup truck anywhere to give anyone a ride.
He also regularly took care of a dear friend, Donna Harrell, who was like a mother to him. John would ensure that her needs were met, and he always let her know where he was and what he was doing, so that she could keep tabs on him.
Everywhere he went, John did a hundred tiny little things to show his love for others and for his community. He suffered a lot of physical and mental pain, yet despite that fact, he would still get up, get out of bed, and go out into the world as a force for good. He played the blues because he knew what pain was, and that truth and that knowledge informed each note that he played, creating beautiful music both literally and figuratively. Despite that beautiful music, he succumbed to his inner demons and unfortunately passed, apparently at his own hand, in a tragic end to a beautiful life.
Unfortunately, because he has no living next of kin that we have been able to locate, his friends are all attempting to pool their resources to provide him with the burial that he deserves. Luckily, as a member of the military, his interment at Abraham Lincoln Memorial in Elwood, Illinois, and a marker is covered. However, his cremation, the urn to be buried, and another urn that we will use to be able to sprinkle some of his ashes in some places that were important to him, will not be covered by the military.
We are left with a $3,700.00 bill from the funeral home. John had no income to speak of and there is nobody that is his friend who can afford to pay the entire amount on their own. We hope that you can “be like John” and spread a little love and donate even a small amount towards his funeral expenses. Thank you in advance for any assistance you can give.
We are planning a Memorial Service in John’s Honor at the Riverside Room at Family Piano Company from 2-4 PM on July 8, 2018. We hope that all of his friends and loved ones are able to join us in celebrating his life at that time, and share many more memories of how he was able to touch so many lives.
John left behind two cats who are being fostered, in search of a forever home. If you or anyone you know is looking for a cat, they are available for adoption.
For more information on how to donate, or about the cats, please contact Amy Lonergan or Anna Vinson of Finn & Finn, Ltd., [phone redacted], or [email redacted] or [email redacted].
Organizer
Amy Lynn Strege
Organizer
Waukegan, IL
