John Francis Stewart III, the eldest of John and Mary Stewart’s eight children, arrived at West Point in July 1974 from Levittown, NY on Long Island after graduating from Chaminade High School. With baseball glove in hand, John’s four-year invitation to first regiment formed the foundation of an education and relationships that defined an extraordinary life. He met the many challenges of cadet life, including a plebe year apology to George Washington’s statue for malpractice while cutting Martha’s sheet cake. He proudly set the class standard in cow thermodynamics and graduated on June 7, 1978 with his commission in the Transportation Corps.
John headed to “The Big Red One” at Fort Riley, KS. He began his professional career with successful junior officer leadership and command positions at the platoon and company levels. These positions were highlighted by REFORGER deployments and the award of the Meritorious Service Medal. In 1984, John decided to leave the Army. He moved back East and joined Citibank, beginning his 35-year banking career. He immersed himself in the industry and steadily climbed through the ranks. As a manager in the Retail Banking Division in 1989, John was sponsored by Citibank for a demanding 18-month executive MBA program at Columbia University. The opportunity to obtain an advanced degree without career interruption was a commitment that consumed each candidate’s time and energy. John, however, managed his course work, was promoted at the bank, attended every game in his hockey league, and married Elizabeth Urban, the love of his life. John was off to the races.
His career at Citibank led to positions of increasing responsibility, including managing director of national distribution, president of Citibank New York, president and CEO of Diners Club Canada, and managing director of the Atlantic Division of CitiFinancial. John’s industry leadership and respect were reflected by his chairmanship of the Consumer Bankers Association in Washington, DC and as treasurer of the New York Bankers Association. He furthered his education as a graduate of the Partnership for New York David Rockefeller Fellows Program. After a brief retirement, John served as CEO of First National Bank and as Senior Executive Vice President of Flushing Savings Bank.
This impressive resumé only begins to tell John’s story. He and Liz welcomed Lauren, Courtney, and John IV, joyful additions to a family that already included Tara, Brian, and Brendan. When cancer became the enemy of the Stewart family, John became its most formidable foe. He lent his time and considerable support to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. John became a board member of the New York Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Stepping up his game, John developed an additional skill as a live auctioneer at charitable events for the foundation. Many wishes were granted to cancer-stricken children thanks to John’s pure persistence and acumen with the microphone. Together, the Stewart family stared down cancer, and, this time, it was cancer that blinked.
John’s schedule kept him very busy, but he also made the most of leisure time. He was an avid reader and his daily runs around Massapequa, NY were more reliable than the mailman. He loved sports as a long-suffering New York Mets, Jets, and Islanders fan. He spent many Saturday afternoons cheering for the Army team at Michie Stadium. One year, he treated Brian and Brendan to the ultimate fan experience of three college bowl games, including the national championship. He was involved in youth sports and spent many weekends on the road with travel baseball and hockey.
John’s sport sanctuary was the golf course. He loved the competition and camaraderie of the game, particularly events at his beloved Wheatley Hills Golf Club. He enjoyed traveling to play great courses and left a memorable impression at the famous Greenbrier resort in West Virginia. During this visit, John arrived in the morning and was told he could play until dark. He managed to get in 54 holes of golf before calling it a day. Like most aspects of his life, it was the company of friends and family that gave John the most fun on the golf course. Many charities benefitted from John’s bidding on outings, enabling him to bring friends to special golf destinations.
John’s life was full, and his reach was far. He was a man of quiet but strong faith. He was a loyal and dedicated professional who understood a bank is more than just a building. John witnessed the towers fall on September 11, and throughout a day filled with fear and confusion John would not go home until his entire command, the equivalent of a brigade spread throughout the city, was accounted for. John was a trusted leader who made good decisions and a caring manager who fully understood the weight and responsibility in shaping the careers of others. The respect and admiration he deservedly earned was evident when more than 2,000 came to the funeral home and church to offer prayers and condolences.
John’s life, while full of accomplishment, was defined by his love of family.
“Hi Babe!” is what I would hear as John picked up a call from Liz, who was checking in to go over what was next on their busy calendar. Fittingly, our final phone conversation was while he was on his way home.
John Stewart was taken from us too soon. While he was with us, John led with his heart until his heart had no more to give. Those of us who were fortunate to have him in our lives are better people because of John Stewart.
— Tim Greene ’78 and the Stewart Family