MAY 30 • 2024 | 61
W
alter P. Stewart, 81, was
raised in Detroit and
resided in Bloomfield
Hills. He died on May 18, 2024.
Walter lived an amazing,
exuberant and fully authentic life.
He was a graduate of Mumford
High School, Wayne State
University and the
Detroit College of Law.
He practiced general
law and was the legal
counsel and marketing
director for Advance
Steel Company.
Walter will be missed
for his kindness,
loving nature, thoughtfulness,
charitable contributions and
overall generosity. He had a quick
wit and a great sense of humor
and could entertain with engaging
jokes and stories. His memory was
exceptional.
One of Walter’s biggest strengths
was his unique way of making,
nurturing and sustaining mutually
respectful friendships with
people from all walks of life. He
was a caring individual with a
magnetic personality that made
everyone feel they mattered and
want to spend time with him.
He was a great listener: warm,
compassionate and empathic.
Walter was a lot of fun, and he
generated fun for those who knew
him.
Basketball was one of Walter’s
biggest passions, as both a
player and a spectator. He also
loved music, going to concerts,
playing the piano and ukulele,
and composing songs. He wrote
poetry.
Walter was excellent at sharing
information, often turning
people on to new ideas of things
he had discovered, especially
recommending books to read,
shows to see and movies to
watch. Food was also a passion,
particularly from delis, hot dogs
and sweets.
He was always thinking of
others and demonstrated it in
many ways, such as sending
cards and gifts and keeping
communication current. He had
great times in his younger years
at camps Tanuga and Tamakwa,
the experiences of which he often
reflected on during his lifetime.
Eighteen, Walter’s favorite number,
means “life” in Hebrew, and he
lived a good life. His motto was
“Enjoy! Enjoy!”
Family was Walter’s most
important priority. He was
attentive and caring to his parents,
children, grandchildren, siblings,
nieces, nephews, and great-
nieces and great-nephews. He
remembered everyone’s birthdays,
attended all their special
occasions and showed up for them
constantly. Walter made this world
a better place.
Walter is survived by his
beloved and devoted family: his
sons and daughter-in-law; Scott
Stewart, and James and Einav
Stewart; his sisters and brother-
in-law; Karen and Allen Amber,
and Lori Bucciero; grandchildren,
Alexa Stewart, Marissa Stewart
and Levi Stewart. He will be
missed by his former wife, Gail
Stewart. Walter is also survived by
many close nieces, nephews, great-
nieces and great-nephews, cousins
and friends. The family extends
deep appreciation to his caregiver
and friend, Marilyn Hill.
Walter was predeceased by his
parents; Joe and Dorothy Stewart;
and brother, Robert Stewart.
Contributions may be made to
Zekelman Holocaust Center, 28123
Orchard Lake Road, Farmington
Hills, MI 48334, holocaustcenter.
org/tributes; or to a charity of
one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira
Kaufman Chapel.
A Beloved Family Man
Mark McIntosh; cherished grandson, Ethan
McIntosh. She was the beloved aunt of
Richard, Jeffery, Mitchel and Howard Gaft
and their families. Also Carl Segal. She is
also survived by Marie Slotnick and other
adoring cousins and friends.
Shirley was the devoted daughter of the
late Ethel Gaft; the sister of the late Sam
Gaft and Clarice Barack; the aunt of the late
David Segal and the late Stuart Gaft.
Services were held at Temple Beth-El, 400
Pasadena Ave. So., St. Petersburg FL 33707.
A celebration of life will be held in Detroit
at a later date. The family requests that
donations be made to Congbethshalom.org
in Detroit or Templebeth-el.com/donate in
St. Petersburg.
DAVID MICHAEL
TANKARD, 91, of Farmington
Hills, died May 17, 2024.
David loved his family most
of all. He was also a lover of
opera, symphony, literature,
education and the Wall Street Journal. He was
an English gentleman’s gentleman, educated
and proper, but funny, gentle and kind.
He will be dearly missed by his family and
friends.
He is survived by his wife, Susann
Kauffman; daughter and son-in-law, Dr.
Sonia and Dr. Sheldon Gonte; loving
grandchildren, Brittany, Joshua, Madeleine
and Brett; great-grandchildren, Aiden and
Talia.
David was the beloved husband of the
late Alice Tankard.
Contributions may be made to Hillel Day
School. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.
Walter
Stewart
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