Stuart J. Stewart
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Stuart J. Stewart, known professionally as S. Jay Stewart, 82, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at home in Naples, FL with his wife of 60 years and children by his side on February 6, 2021, after a brief illness unrelated to the pandemic.
Jay was born in 1938 to Virgil H. and Lena R. Stewart in Pineville, WV. In 1961, he married Judith Ann (nee Daniels) in Charleston, WV. Jay earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Cincinnati in 1961, followed by an M.B.A. from West Virginia University in 1966.
Jay's career began in 1961 at Monsanto Company, where he held various engineering, manufacturing and marketing positions. In 1973, Jay left Monsanto to join Ventron, a division of Thiokol Corporation, ultimately serving as its President. In 1979, he was promoted to President of Dynachem Corporation, another subsidiary of Thiokol. In 1982, Jay was named Group Vice President, Chemicals of Thiokol. He continued in this role when Morton-Norwich Products, Inc. (known for Morton Salt) acquired Thiokol in 1983, thereby creating Morton Thiokol, Inc. In 1986, Jay was named President and Chief Operating Officer of Morton Thiokol. He continued in this position after the company was renamed Morton International, Inc. and in 1994, he became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of this Fortune 500 Company. In 1997, Jay was a founder in the formation of Autoliv, Inc., when Morton International's Automotive Safety Products Division merged with the Swedish company Autoliv AB. In 1999, Rohm and Haas Company acquired Morton International, at which time Jay became Vice Chairman of Rohm and Haas until he retired that same year.
Jay served on the Board of Directors of several companies including: KapStone Paper & Packaging Corporation; Autoliv, Inc.; HSBC North American Holdings, Inc.; Household International, Inc.; Burns International Services Corporation; Box USA, Inc.; Rohm and Haas Company; Morton International, Inc. and Morton Thiokol, Inc.
Jay was a Life Trustee of Rush University Medical Center, Chicago and a Trustee of the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago. Jay was a Trustee Emeritus of the University of Cincinnati Foundation and received a Distinguished Alumnus Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the university for his contributions to the field of engineering.
Jay will be lovingly remembered by his wife Judy, children Julie (Jeffrey) Wallen, Jennifer (Brian) O'Hara and Steven (Lynn) Stewart, six grandchildren, two sisters, family members and friends. Jay was preceded in death by his parents and brother.
Jay's family will hold a private service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Rush University Medical Center at Rush Office of Philanthropy, 28057 Network Place, Chicago, IL 60673-1280 or visit http://rush.convio.net/JStewart or to the Museum of Science and Industry, Attn: Christie Hoyt, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60637-2093.