Martin R. (Ray) Stewart Obituary (1924 - 2012)

Martin R. (Ray) Stewart, age 87, passed away Monday, January 9, 2012. Preceded in death by parents, William and Lottie Stewart and his two brothers and two sisters. Survived by beloved wife of more than 67 years, Ida; sons Ronald (Sally) Stewart and Gary (Jo) Stewart; daughter, Marilyn Mendelman; grandchildren, Mitchell (Jacquie) Stewart, Eric (Audra) Stewart, Jeffrey (Teri) Stewart, Stephanie Stewart, Adam (Catherine Wallis) Mendelson, Richard Parsons, Alicia Parsons and Carisa (Lynn) Moore; great grandchildren, Cameron, Hope, Chloe, Isaac, Anna, Shawna, Amanda and Hudson Moore; daughter-in-law, Helen Stewart; brother-in-law, Martin Feuer; sisters-in-law, Eleonora and Lucille Stewart; many nieces, nephews, cousins and loyal friends. Ray graduated from Hilliard (Ohio) High School in 1943 where he was an outstanding athlete in football and basketball. Ray served his country proudly in the Army Air Corps during WWII on the South Pacific Island of New Guinea. Ray was a loyal employee of Standard Oil of Ohio and Leaseway Industries for more than four decades. He was a member of Temple Israel for 62 years. Ray and Ida were active volunteers in Grant Hospital's Cardiac Rehabilitation Department (Columbus, Ohio) for 14 years. Ray was a committed member of the Fitness Center at Grant Hospital where he was fondly referred to as the Chairman of the Board. Ray’s first priority was his family and nothing brought him more joy than spending time with them at Buckeye Lake. The family wishes to extend its appreciation to Rabbi Misha Zinkow, the staff at Temple Israel, Doctors Bruce Fleishman, Timothy Moore and Stephen Canowitz, the staff at the Congestive Heart Failure Clinic - Grant Hospital and Ray’s OhioReach Hospice Nurse, Angie. A man of dignity and honor, Ray’s trademark was his starched white shirts and freshly pressed suits. Funeral service 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 10 at TEMPLE ISRAEL, 5419 E. Broad Street, Columbus, with Rabbi Misha Zinkow officiating. Interment will follow at New Temple Israel Cemetery. Shiva will be observed Tues. and Weds. evening, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the home of Ray's daughter, Marilyn Mendelman. The family requests NO FLOWERS. Donations in Martin’s memory should be made to the American Cancer Society, OhioHealth Foundation – Grant Hospital Volunteers, McConnell Health Heart Center at Grant Hospital (180 E. Broad St. Floor 32, Columbus, Ohio 43215) or a charity of the donor’s choice.