Edward Steward

Quaker Hill — Edward D.

“Ed” Steward, 74, of Quaker Hill, unexpectedly passed away Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, surrounded by his loving family at Yale New Haven Hospital. His death was the result of complications from a fall on Jan. 18. Ed was born Aug. 14, 1947, in Norwich, to Franklin William Steward “Snip” and Helen Avery Spicer Steward of Waterford.

He grew up on the Steward Dairy Farm on Gilead Road in Waterford, and graduated from Waterford High School in 1965. He was a 1969 graduate of the University of Connecticut with a degree in civil engineering. He was a proud member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.

In 1970, he married Mary Stefanyk Steward. Ed was a loving and devoted husband for 52 years. She survives him.

Following graduation, he worked for the Town of Waterford, Department of Public Works where he was eventually promoted to director. He was instrumental in initiating the recycling program in Waterford. Upon his retirement from Waterford, he engaged in a second career as the director of Public Works in the City of New London. Following his retirement from New London, he worked as a consultant and construction inspector for WMC Engineers. Ed supported the 1987 creation of the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resource Recovery Authority (SCRRA) and the subsequent construction of the Preston Waste to Energy Plant. A dedicated member of the Connecticut Association of Street & Highway Officials (CASHO) and the American Public Works Association (APWA), he always enjoyed attending their national conferences. Ed was a member of the Waterford Rotary for many years.

Ed proudly served his country in the Army National Guard from 1970 to 1976. He completed his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, a place he often humorously referred to as Fort “Lost in the Woods.”

Over the years, Ed supported local sports in Waterford, often coaching his children’s baseball and softball teams and proudly attending many events for his grandchildren.

Ed could often be found around the Niantic River looking for stripers, blackfish, or fluke, as well as heading out for trips on one of the ships of the Sunbeam Fleet or the MiJoy. He was an avid golfer who enjoyed playing at many local courses including Cedar Ridge with friends and family. As a nature lover, Ed enjoyed feeding the wild birds of Quaker Hill, as well as the various other wildlife that would often visit.

A consummate farmer at heart, he maintained his skills by cutting and baling hay using vintage farm equipment including a 1961 Case

400 Series and a McCormick Baler. Among his many other interests, Ed loved NASCAR racing, gardening and raising Christmas trees; and he was a lifelong Patriots and Red Sox fan as well as a devoted supporter of the UConn basketball teams.

In addition to his beloved wife Mary, he is survived by his older brother William and Sandy Steward of East Lyme; and his sister-in-law Kathy Steward of Waterford; his children: Dennis and Ellen Steward of Melrose, Ma., Angela and Brian Bartelli and Erica and Eric Benvenuti of Waterford. As well as his grandchildren, of whom he was so proud, Jackson and Gracie Bartelli, Jake and Andrew Benvenuti of Waterford, and Deacon Steward of Melrose, Mass. survive him as well. He will also be missed by his nieces and nephews: Will and Annette Steward, Amanda and Eric Daniel, Matt and Laura Steward, Danielle and Troy Gelinas, Heather and Dennis Joyner, Katie and Eric Smith, Elizabeth and Chris Bryer, John and Krystal Stefanyk and Shani Stefanyk. Ed also leaves behind many great-nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ed was predeceased by his parents, Snip and Helen; and his younger brother Daniel Steward.

The Steward family would like to thank the nurses and staff of the Yale Neuro ICU for their loving care of Ed in his final days.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, at Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington St., New London. Masks are required in the funeral home. Interment will be private at Jordan Cemetery in Waterford.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ed’s memory can be made to the Decibels Foundation (www.decibelsfoundation. org) or a charity of your choice.

“We will miss you beloved husband, father, grandfather, neighbor and loyal friend to many.”

Please visit www.byles.com to sign the online register or to share a memory.