John K. Stewart

Leticia Marquez John hosting an event at JSCo's Mason Street Office.

Roger Nelson The Ibex group, John, Jim Babcock, Rick Moran, and Pete Wilson with Sister Lillian of Mercy Family Housing at Mercy Family Plaza, San Francisco. We formed this group to do some good in the housing world and to have a great time working together. John was a fun-loving leader that made everyone around him better.

Roger Nelson More Ibex- The team, John, Jim, Rick and Pete assembled for the ground break at Del Norte Place - our first shot at Transit Oriented Development. 165 units next to the Del Norte Bart Station. We were surprised we were awarded this. When we walked out of the council chambers, John broke the stunned silence with "this is good news - I guess"

Sherry Williams Everyone who met John knows what a larger than life, kind, smart, compassionate and oh so funny guy he was! We were so lucky that he and his company decided to do the market rate property management at Treasure Island. John jumped in with gusto and fully embraced the equity and inclusion goals for the island, in so many ways. I selected this picture (from one of fundraisers, not from 2000!) because one of the stand outs was a program that he and his amazing wife, Gussie, put together for the formerly homeless, newly housed families--the TI Furniture Project. Connecting us with a furniture warehouse, fundraising to support the transport and unloading, really creating an opportunity for a new home fully furnished. The warehouse ended up closing and we had to discontinue the project but 80 families were able to get a real start in their new homes. John also contributed in many other ways and we are grateful and so lucky to have known him!

Leticia Marquez JSCo staff celebrating John's 70th birthday!

Leticia Marquez

Leticia Marquez John sporting his Stanford cap at the JSCo 2006 Annual Holiday Luncheon

Leticia Marquez John and Jack at the company annual conference with one of the JSCo Resident Grant Recipients of 2007.

Jack Gardner When Multifamily Executive (MFE) called us in 2007 to feature JSCo as their lead story, John refused to appear on the cover unless it could be of BOTH of us... when they said their policy was to feature only ONE person, he insisted that it be me (as the new CEO). That's fine, but THIS is still my favorite picture from the article - the one of BOTH of us... Miss you and love you, big guy - thanks! Jack

Roger Nelson John wasn't always perfect! I once had the temerity to question whether he was actually authorized by the State to be an Officiant. Shortly thereafter, this letter arrived from the Sanctity of Marriage office calling our union into question.

Roger Nelson John was Officiant in our wedding. Dapper, charming accomplished, eloquent, perfect! In the over 30 years I have know John as a partner, a client, a sports buddy and, most of all, as a friend, he has always been there for me with his energetic, ebullient, positive personality illuminating the room. I am going to miss him and all of the good times, warm friendship and great memories that he brought to my life.

Roger Nelson

Leticia Marquez John Stewart (Stanford) and Jack Gardner (UC Berkeley) participating in the TNDC 2012 Pool Toss.

Leticia Marquez John throwing the Hail Mary pass to Jack, while Loren makes sure it's legit!! "THEY made quite a splash"

Mari Tustin Party at Dan's house - 2015?

Larisa Troche Merry Christmas 2015 - Annual Holiday Party John, we will miss your booming presence!

Peggy Lee We wanted to share a couple of photos of John - this is from NPH's 2015 Awards event. I remember that he was such a wonderful conversationalist that there were always people who wanted to talk to him. Here he is probably imparting some hard earned wisdom to Assm Chiu and sharing a moment with fellow NPH member Mary Murtaugh. We will miss him.

Herman Travis III R.I.P Big John...

DONNA HESS This is at our JSCO Annual conference. I know this is a few years back but his words that day will always stay with me. Johns passion for humanity was so beautiful and contagious. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that we will never be the same without him but we can make him proud and continue his mission and core values that he was so proud of. I feel blessed that I got to know him and I will miss him.

Lori Horn The southern CA team loved having John a part of our annual holiday party. He could always be counted on for engaging conversation and fun!

Christina Wise April of 2018, receiving the Family Grant Award for my son, Andy.

Jack Gardner John, Candy, Gussie and I at BRIDGE Housing's 35th Anniversary Gala (John and Gussie are used to formal events, but Candy and I felt VERY grown up!) :-)

Ed Sisson Fun times at Holiday Party

Jack Gardner John and happy JSCo'ers at the Grand Opening of Hunters View Phase 2 - a great day! :-)

Albert Salgado This picture was taken at our 2019 JSCo Annual Conference. It was a pleasure to have taken a selfie with Mr. John Stewart. The Annual conference will not be the same without him. He will be missed. #sageparkapts

Melinda Vila Laurel Crest Apartments staff getting a picture with John at the 2019 JSCO Conference in Long Beach.

Faith Kirkpatrick After 5 years from first really meeting John, we are finally at the ground breaking of 88 Broadway. Throughout the community engagement process of this project, John was out there - talking to neighbors, one on one, at their neighborhood group meetings, at public meetings - always championing affordable housing and all the positive benefits it can bring to a neighborhood. I enjoyed every conversation with him and working with someone with such tireless commitment to the work. He will be missed and his legacy lives on in all of these buildings and the people he inspired.

Leticia Marquez I am profoundly humbled to have served and learned so much from John. I will truly miss our political conversations! Thank you for shining your light in my life!

Dawn Bacigalupi For over a decade, John would stop by New Employee Orientations in our SF conference room around the corner from his office. His humor, his humility, and his propensity to tell a tale or two both entertained and educated new staff in our SF Region. He had wonderful stories of how the company began: the failures, the triumphs, the politics. I had the honor to witness and learn from him all of these years. He used his power for good. Thank you for your legacy, John. You will be missed.

Jennifer Collins Got to pal around with John and Don in January 2020 at the Santa Rosa site. It really does take a long time to get things built in California!

Tu Uyen Donguines Memorable lunch in the Presidio with the big boss. John, you'll definitely be missed by many and your legacy will carry on.

Leticia Marquez John at the Santa Rosa Cannery site. Purchased in 1999, entitled in 2020 - it takes a long time to get things built in California!

Ann Bloxberg I always looked forward to seeing John and he made everyone he encountered feel like they mattered. When one worked on a project with him, he brought out the desire for you to do all you could do to contribute, not only what you had to do. After John’s tribute, I quickly pulled myself together to go for a planned walk with my 12-year old son; a son who doesn’t like to see his mom upset. Of course, he was able to see I was sad, so I decided to put on my strong mom face and took the opportunity to tell him more about the man I’d looked up to for 20 years. The man who congratulated me when I got married as a young 24-year old, the man who rubbed my big belly with both pregnancies (I mean, who could get away with that these days? Only John.) and the man who, years later, reached out to me when I got divorced and told me I was a “tough one” and that I’d get through it. He provided me that rare opportunity to spend most of my adult years working for a company who makes a positive difference in the lives of thousands; a company who leads by example from the very top down, with no exception. I told my son that any leader who is half the leader John was would be a success and that doing the right thing would always be more important than making a quick buck. Toward the end of our 3-mile walk, my son said, “I can see why you’re sad. He sounds like a great guy and you were lucky to work for his company.” Yep, kiddo. I was. When you are a leader, you have many opportunities; think about how you use them. Do you, a) take opportunities to push ahead of others with your eye on the prize of climbing the ladder of success, or b) use them to build up your team, make a difference in the lives of others and set a good example while still acquiring success? The choice is yours. John chose (b). Be like John. Rest in Peace, you gentle giant.