Stewart (Stew) Washburn

Stewart (Stew) Washburn of Austin, TX (formerly of Fairfield, CT) found peace on October 17, 2021 after a long illness.

Stew was born September 5, 1925 in Marblehead, MA and grew up in Salem, MA. He attended Amherst College until he enlisted in the Army during WWII where he served as a navigator. Upon completing his service, he finished his bachelor’s degree at Middlebury College and later earned master’s degrees at Columbia University and Boston College.

After college, Stew taught mathematics and physics in Juneau, AK and later moved to a position at Conrad High School in Wilmington, DE where he met his wife, Barbara Butler. Soon after their marriage, Barb and Stew moved to Fairfield, CT to continue their teaching careers and raise their family. Stew taught math at Fairfield’s Andrew Warde High School and New Canaan High School, eventually becoming head of Warde’s mathematics department before retiring in 1983.

Stew was well known for his love of music. He played drums in a Juneau community band and enjoyed his collection of Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Mills Brothers, big-band swing, Beatles, and Elvis. He was also a lifelong Red Sox fan who rejoiced with family and friends when, in 2004, the Curse of the Bambino was finally reversed and the Red Sox won their first World Series in 86 years.

Stew is predeceased by his parents, Eleanor and Bill Washburn, and his sister Nancy Bruley. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Barbara, daughter Kerry Washburn, son and daughter-in-law Jay and Cindy Washburn, granddaughters Daryle (Todd) Adams and Jillian (Mark) Goodfellow, greatgrandchildren Madelyn, Emma, Juliette, Angela and Mark, along with nieces and nephews.

A memorial celebration of Stew’s life and loving nature will be held Tuesday, November 16, 2021 from 10am-12pm at Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield, CT. Burial will be private.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Rett Syndrome Research Trust, 67 Under Cliff Road, Trumbull, CT 06611. To leave an online condolence, please visit www. SpearMillerFuneralHome. com

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