Harry Stewart Manchester

Harry Stewart Manchester II, "Stewart", 80, of Madison and Lodi, Wisconsin passed away at his home peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Saturday, July 19, 2014. Stewart was born in Madison, WI on April 12, 1934 to Morgan E. and Katherine Buchanan Manchester.

A lifetime resident of Madison and the surrounding area, Stewart attended Lake Forest Academy in Lake Forest, IL before graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He spent some time in the United States Army stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Stewart loved to call Madison his home and took pride in making the community a better place to live.

A talented businessman, Stewart ran Manchester's department store for many years- the company founded by his grandfather and namesake, Harry S. in 1921. More recently, Stewart was a seasoned investment manager who got his start in finance with EF Hutton. He went on to work with Merrill Lynch in 1989 and just celebrated his 25th Anniversary with the company in May. Upon his 80th birthday in April, he decided to forgo a planned retirement in favor of staying active and productive- two hallmarks of his character. Stewart had just booked flights for visits with all his children in August and September and wasn't showing the least sign of letting up on his vibrant life.

Stewart is remembered by all who knew him as a bright, caring, generous, hard-working, family-loving man who not only cherished his family and friends, but who went the extra mile to help them out in any way he could. Stewart loved to putter... from electrical and plumbing to woodworking, he could fix just about anything. He was an avid golfer and could be found almost daily on the links at Maple Bluff Country Club where he had been a member since birth. A top-notch sailor, Stewart was actually the youngest winner of the local inland regatta to date. One of Stewart's trademarks was his penchant for making up funny nicknames for practically everyone he'd meet- the goofier the better, which worked to enhanced his dry but witty and quirky sense of humor. He was a talented wordsmith, and in addition to writing beautiful letters, Stewart crafted many a poem or limerick to the delight of all who heard them.

There is so much more to say about this great man, but mostly, we will miss him always!

Stewart's spirit is carried on by his daughter Katie Manchester Martin of Newburyport, MA, his son Chet Manchester (Anne Early) of King Ferry, NY, his son John B. Manchester (Deb L. Manchester) of Lodi, his daughter Anabel Manchester Lopez (David Lopez) of Boise, ID and his son Morgan K. Manchester (Debbie K. Manchester) of Wilmington, NC; 11 grandchildren plus one more due in August; his sister Kathie Manchester Meyering (Jim Meyering) of Fredericksburg, TX and many nieces and nephews. Stewart was preceded in death by his parents, Morgan E. and Katherine B. Manchester, his wife Julianne Kaeser Manchester, his brother William Manchester, and his son-in-law Eric Martin.

A memorial celebration in his honor will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2014 at Maple Bluff Country Club at 2pm. Memorials can be made to Evans Scholars Foundation in his honor. Please contact his daughter Anabel at anabel_manchester@yahoo.com with questions or for more information. Upon Stewart's request, his ashes will be buried in Madison, WI at Forest Hills Cemetery in the family plot.