Obituary of Ray Stewart

 

Ray's Funeral Service is now available for viewing.

 

Peacefully and surrounded by family, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the death occurred of Raymond (Ray) “Skip” Burton Stewart of Tea Hill, in his 69th year.

 

Born on November 20th, 1957, he was the eldest son to Ray Sr. and Janet (Davies) Stewart.

Ray lived his entire life in Tea Hill and grew up working with his family on their well-known strawberry farm. In 1980, he and Jacinta began their married life together living on a parcel of the family farmland.

 

After attending Charlottetown Rural, Ray went on to study at the Provincial Vocational Institute in Charlottetown. Afterwards, Ray went right into the workforce. Some of his early careers included working at the Kinlock Poultry Farm and Tip Top Truss. For the following 50 years, Ray has been an integral part of the marine industry. He began working at Hall & Stavert Ltd in the late 1970’s as a labourer then moved to the machine shop in 1979. After many years in shipping and receiving, Ray moved into a sales role and for more than 35 years, he has been one of the most knowledgeable, dedicated and competent salesmen in the fishing industry.

 

Ray loved to fish and hunt. When he wasn’t in a field or stream enjoying his passion, he could be found on a lawn tractor tending to his yard with Jacinta, tinkering in the garage or attempting to complete the neverending “honey-do” list. He was the kind of man you could always count on to answer his phone or help out with anything, regardless of the time of day. He had the knowledge and tools to help with any project or repair and never hesitated to lend a hand or bit of wisdom to assist. He was a true family and community man.

 

In his younger years, Ray enjoyed spending time at Raceway Park racing stock cars with family and friends. It wouldn't be unusual to pull a Friday all-nighter rebuilding an engine to have the car ready for Saturdays race.

 

Ray was also a staple behind the bench during Jeremy’s minor hockey days in Pownal. His wisdom, “tough but fair” attitude and strong passion for the game made him the most loved coach to his players but also the most revered coach to opponents.

 

To his grandchildren, he was affectionately known as Grumpie. Those 3 children were the absolute highlight of his life and always put a twinkle in his eyes and a smile upon his face. He loved taking them for drives for ice cream, dollar store treats, camping, or just doing everyday tasks. They adored their Grump and will miss him tremendously.

 

Left to mourn is his devoted wife of 46 years, Jacinta (Murphy), his son Jeremy (Anna-Marie), and his precious grandbabies, Isabella, Carolina and Tony.

 

Ray is also survived by his siblings Gary (Kim), Sandra, Connie (Edward Hackett), Lori Barry (Darcy), and Kimmy; his sister in-law Bodine Dewitt and brother in-law Danny Dewitt (Marlene). Cherished fishing and hunting buddy to niece Stephanie DeWitt and fodly remembered by numerous nieces and nephews.

 

In recent years, Skip and the family were fortunate to unite with Stewart cousins from Ontario. Since uniting, their relation led to daily communications, and the family truly enjoyed their in-person visits. Skip especially cherished when he spent one-on-one time with his Uncle Sterling, traveling Eastern PEI where he was able to share his secret fishing spots.

 

Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his in-laws, Bill and Dorothy (Garnhum) Murphy, his son Jeffrey Raymond William (stillborn), his newborn granddaughter, his niece Jennifer Lynn (stillborn), and brother in-law, Donnie Conohan.

 

The family extends deep gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at the PEI Cancer Treatment Center, the vascular team and unit 4A staff at the George Dumont Hospital in Moncton, and the staff at the QEH emergency and ICU departments. Your exemplary care and concern for Ray's health and well-being means more than we can express and for that we are eternally grateful.

 

Resting at Hillsboro Funeral Home from where visiting hours will be held Tuesday, January 27, 2026 from 4-7 pm.  The Funeral will be Wednesday at 10:30 am at the funeral home chapel. Interment will take place later at Crossroads Cemetery.

 

The family would like to express their thanks and graitude to the EMS paramedics for their sincere compassion and exemplary care for Ray during his recent travels to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the George Dumont Hospital in Moncton.

 

Memorial donations may be made online to the PEI Wildlife Federation.