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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