He was born on March 6, 1932, to parents Stuart and Mary Bell in Vicksburg, MS. He and his parents attended Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. He graduated from Carr Central High School in 1949. Stuart went on to earn his BS in Physics from the Virginia Military Institute in 1953 and his MS in Physics from the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School in 1962.
Upon graduating from VMI, Stuart began a long and distinguished career in the United States Air Force where he had posts in Europe, Houma, LA, Jacksonville, FL, Monterey, CA, Alexandria, VA and Oslo, Norway. During this time, he met and married Patsy Hebert and had two beautiful children, Charles Stuart III and Karen. In 1972, the family moved to Satellite Beach where Stuart worked at the Air Force Technical Applications Center on Patrick Air Force Base. He retired from the US Air Force in 1979 as a Lt. Colonel after honorably serving his country for 26 years. Stuart continued to work as a civilian contractor for 8 years at the Kennedy Space Center as a safety engineer.
Stuart was a member of Holy Apostles Episcopal Church in Satellite Beach and many other organizations including the Air Force Association, The Military Officers Association, Tides and AARP. In his spare time, he was an avid walker, reader, and bridge/poker player. Sports were a big part of Stuart’s life both as a spectator and participant. In his youth, he played basketball and tennis. At most times, you could find Stuart watching any sport that was broadcast but he particularly loved the Florida Gators, a passion shared with his entire family.
Stuart was a devoted husband and father. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 50 years, Patsy, in 2008. He is survived by his daughter, Karen McCloskey; son, Stuart McCloskey and his wife, Sande; grandsons, Chris McCloskey, and Greg McCloskey and his wife, Jennifer.
Services will be held at Florida Memorial Gardens, 5950 US-1 S, Rockledge, FL 32955. The family will hold a viewing on Friday, July 21, 2023 from 6:00-8:00 pm and a celebration of life service on Saturday, July 22, 2022 at 10:00 am with a private interment following.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be considered in Stuart’s name to Holy Apostles Episcopal Church, 505 Grant Ave, Satellite Beach, FL 32937 or a charity of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FloridaMemorialFH-Gardens.com for the McCloskey family.
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Holy Apostles Episcopal Church 505 Grant Avenue, Satellite Beach, Florida 32937
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