Mark Roger Brassel Stewart

Mark R. B. Stewart of Washington, D.C. died on November 24, 2023 after a short illness. As he was a young and handsome 67, he leaves behind many grieving family members and friends. His loving wife, Jeannine H. Turenne, is shattered by his loss. Mark loved “my J” and always kept her laughing. He also leaves behind his dear son, Matthew C. Jones, of Gainesville, Florida. Additionally, he leaves three heartbroken sisters, Catherine, Claire (Emil), and Susan (John). His niece, Renée and nephew, Dean will miss their funny, generous uncle. Mark leaves 20 wonderful first cousins, an aunt, Rogette Gerstle, and an uncle, Fred Pepper. His extended family is tearful. Mark kept some treasured longtime friends from the old days, including his closest buddy David Martin of Staten Island, N.Y. and very good friend Kate Ryan of New York, N.Y., both of whom miss him so much.

Mark grew up in North Creek, N.Y., with his late parents, Ed and Joan Stewart, and three domineering and highly critical older sisters. We never knew that he was in dire need of glasses until his sister, Cathy, tried to teach him how to play baseball, and the ball just kept hitting him in the forehead. He was a quiet boy, understandably, and with his best friend, Ernie Beaudet, would play in his room for hours. Due to lack of photos of Mark and the fact that his sisters never noticed him until he was about four years old and able to walk and talk, they were sure he was adopted. They kept this up for years, and probably it will continue. Mark loved comic books and had an extraordinary collection until one of his sisters decided to clean out the closet after he had left for college.

After graduating from Johnsburg Central School, he attended college for one year, and then entered the U.S. Navy. After being honorably discharged, he returned to college and then earned a juris doctor degree from the University of Miami School of Law. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard and proudly served his country for 20 more years. After retiring as a Lieutenant Commander in 2003, he began a civilian government career at the U.S. Office of Government Ethics in Washington, D.C. He made many warm, close friendships there, as well as elsewhere in D.C. and Virginia.

Mark was beloved for his sharp, clever wit; he frequently doled out zingers, sarcastic one-liners and hilarious emails. He enjoyed a good party, a funny joke, and ruining family pictures with bunny ears. He taught his wife how to solve crossword puzzles, and thoroughly enjoyed fixing her mistakes. He was always ready to lend a hand, and many times his house, and was a firm believer in paying it forward. We all will miss him, especially during summers at Garnet Lake, N.Y. We will continue to tease him, talk about him, and love him forever.

Mark’s family will hold a memorial at their convenience.