John M. Stewart

John (Jack) M. Stewart, 59, of Worcester passed away unexpectedly on October 28, 2022 after a brief illness.

He was born in Worcester on September 18, 1963 and was a life-long resident of Worcester; son of Teresa M. (Stern) Stewart and John M. Stewart Jr.  He attended Our Lady of the Angels School in Worcester, graduated class of 1981 from St. John’s High School Shrewsbury, and then graduated from Northeastern University in 1986.

Jack dedicated himself to public service. He worked for the MA Department of Public Health for 30 years and most recently in the Division for Children & Youth with Special Health Needs. Jack was recognized for his response to the COVID pandemic and his significant contribution to the work of Mass211 during the crisis. Jack worked around the clock at the Mass211 call center to assist, in spite of the health risks he might encounter. One major project for the state Jack contributed greatly to was the Hearing Aid Fund because he personally saw how it affected his family.

Prior to serving at the state level, he worked for the City of Worcester in the Treasury office. Jack also worked for the Worcester Public Library. He served on the Board of Directors for the Worcester Public Library, member of the Worcester Election Commission, member of the Worcester Republican City Committee, member of the Save and Restore Coes Pond Committee. He also served as Grand Knight as a member of the St. Paul’s Cathedral Knights of Columbus. Jack was very active in state and local politics, creating and maintaining valued friendships he formed along the way with members of both parties.

As a young man, Jack was active in Boy Scouting, served as an Altar Boy, was in Junior Achievement, and Model UN.

He was a patient listener, innovative thinker and extremely hard worker.

He leaves behind his son John Francis Stewart of Worcester; his mother Teresa (Stern) Stewart of Worcester, his siblings Francine Stewart of Dayton NJ and her fiancé Dean McBride, Teresa Mahlert and her husband Richard of N. Oxford MA, and Richard T. Stewart of Edison NJ. He is survived by his former wife Cathleen McElligott of Worcester along with his cherished nieces and nephews: Caitlyn Borghi, Thomas Mahlert, Nicholas Borghi, Danielle Mahlert, Alexia Stewart, Sarolta Stewart, Heather Coolbeth, and many dear cousins and lifelong friends. He was preceded in death by his niece Nicole Chicarello.

All are invited to celebrate Jack’s life with calling hours on Friday, November 4th from 5 to 8 p.m. at Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster Street, Worcester.  The funeral will be held Saturday, November 5th with a Mass at 11 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church, 555 Pleasant Street, Worcester. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Worcester.

Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to the Pioneers Care program at Saint John's High School, 378 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545. Information about the program can be found at https://www.stjohnshigh.org/support/pioneers-care.