James H. Stewart

   James H. Stewart, 79, of Manchester, died March 17, 2024 at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack surrounded by his family, after a brief period of declining health.

   He was born in Manchester on September 10, 1944 to Howard and Elizabeth (Hayward) Stewart.   He was a lifelong resident of Manchester and graduated from Bishop Bradley High School and attended Keene State College where he met his wife Nita. 

   He served in the U.S. Army as Sergeant and spent two years in Vietnam as a member of the 7th Armored Squadron, 1st Cavalry and 1st Aviation Brigade.  While there, he earned a Silver Star for gallantry in action.  

   James spent 26 years as a member of the Manchester Police Department and retired as Deputy Chief in 2002.  He served the community of Manchester with a great sense of pride.   He was honored to serve with outstanding officers that he continued to stay close to even after he retired.  Jimmy, was described as a cops cop - always ensuring that his fellow officers and their families were taken care of and that the Manchester Community was served with the utmost respect and care. 

    Aside from his family he was a faithful and dedicated member of the Derryfield Country Club in Manchester.  He played with his father, Howard and brothers Bobby and David as a young boy.   As an adult you would find him there every weekend with friends and fellow officers - it was his second home. 

   After retiring he enjoyed spending time with his grandsons, after having three daughters he felt blessed that he was able to experience his grandsons.  Jim and Nita would be a constant presence at baseball, soccer, football and basketball games showing support for their  grandsons. 

   Jim and Nita enjoyed retirement together, they enjoyed traveling with friends on cruises and to the Caribbean. They enjoyed living on Green Acres Drive in a wonderful neighborhood where they made lifelong friends. Family was the center of their world especially holidays, which were always filled with food, love and laughter. 

   He was predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Nita J. (Frangos) Stewart in 2020 and a brother, Michael Stewart.

   James is survived by three daughters, Tracy Rock and her husband, Thomas of Manchester, Heather Parent and her husband, Jason, of Londonderry and Elizabeth Stewart of Manchester; four grandsons, Tommy Rock of Manchester and Gavin Parent, Colin Parent and Liam Parent all of Londonderry; three siblings, Robert Stewart and his wife Karen of Newburn, NC, David Stewart and his wife Franny of Jacksonville, FL and Deborah Law and her husband, Lenny, of Firestone, Colorado; He had many nieces and nephews that he adored. 

   SERVICES:   Calling hours are Sunday (3/24) from 2 to 5 p.m. at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St., Manchester.   A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday (3/25) at 10 a.m. at St. Pius X Church, 575 Candia Rd., Manchester.  

   Memorial donations may be made to the Manchester Police Athletic League, MPD K-9   Unit or the MPD Mounted Patrol.