Stuart G. Bridges
September 11, 1959 ~ July 25, 2009
Resided in:
Fletcher, NC
Fletcher ~ Stuart G. Bridges, 49, of Fletcher, died Saturday, July 25, 2009 at the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center.
A native of Buncombe County, he was the son of Harry and Margaret Sawyer Bridges of Alexander.
A North Carolina State University graduate, he worked for Eaton Corporation and served in the US Coast Guard.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Lorraine Sheppard Bridges; one daughter, Carrie Elizabeth Bridges, of the home as well as several special aunts, uncles and cousins.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian.
The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the funeral home.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to CarePartners Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Farewell to one of the most decent men that I have ever known. You have been a credit to yourself, your family and your country. Although you will be missed, you remain in our hearts and will never be forgotten.
Johnny
Margaret, our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family at this difficult time. God Bless
My deepest sympathy to you Due to previous appointment I will be unable to attend the memorial you will be in my prayers As one of Stuarts classmates and friends I know he will be missed by all We have lost one of the best May God comfort you
Margaret & family,
May God give you all the comfort & peace that is needed during this sad time. May you know that Stuart is ultimately healed and is praising God in heaven right now. Please know that you are all in our thoughts & prayers.
Jim & Claudette McNaughton
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lorraine & Carrie,
Words can not express how much I will miss Stuart. He was a great co-worker and friend who gave so much to those around him. I watched him fight such a brave battle and know that he doesn’t have to suffer any more. My prayers are with you both during this time.
Harry, Margaret & Bridges Family,
I was so sorry to learn of Stuart’s death. We had been friends, classmates, went to church together and played on sports teams since the second grade @ French Broad School. We lost touch while he was in Raleigh, but I did see him a few times when he worked @ CP&L. I am working out of town and will not be able to attend the service, but wanted you to know that you will all be in my thoughts during this difficult time. I know it is hard to lose a family member, but the shared times and memories will always be a part of our lives. Maybe Stuart and Mama can catch up on old times.
In Sympathy,
Steve Woody
We are all so sorry for your lost. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Lorraine, Carrie, and all the family –
I wanted to extend my deepest sympathies to you all during this time. My prayers for comfort and peace are with you. Stuart will be missed so much, and never forgotten. Please let me know if I can help any of you during this difficult time, or in the days ahead.
Lorraine & Carrie, I would like to say that other than being a stand up guy with as much character as anyone I ever have known, he told me often how happy he was and in love with you both. He always spoke as if he was very lucky and satisfied with his life and you guys. I envied him for that, as I have not had the opportunity to share that with anyone for a good while now. He would always metion your names, always in a postive loving way. He was, and still is, my inspiration to live life to the fullest. Lorraine, I cannot thank you enough for letting me, and his other friends for sharing him with us for the past 29 years when I first met him at Dominion. If you don’t remember me, I run the Dominion ski trip each year. I can also say that he has inspired me to be a better person. I know there is nothing I can say that will help at this time, but my heart is confident that he will look after you from above for enternity.
To the family of Stuart, I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Stuart for the past 7 years at Eaton. I will never forget the courage and the fight he showed through his battle. It was truly an inspiration. I will miss the talks about sports we had. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
In the little time I worked with Stuart he made a Big impact. His integrity and strive to ‘Do the Right Thing’ were impeccable. I only wish that I had gotten to know Stuart sooner and shared more times with him…he was a positive impact on many lives which is evident by the number of entries in the guestbook. His journey is complete now and he’s now where we all strive to be with The Almighty Father.
Harry and Margaret,
We are sorry to hear of the loss of your son. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Reeves and Katy Bridges
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Our sons and daughters will always remember Stuart coming to the house with the Viper! They still talk about that day.
Dear Lorraine and family,
Stuben Juan Kanubin (Stuart to most) was one heck of a guy and you are such a lucky gal to be so loved by this incredible man.
I worked with Stuart at the Beach East office of what was then VEPCO aka Dominion VA Power. We were lunch buddies, and you might remember you and Stuart rescued the german sheppard puppy from your neighbor, gave her to me and that wild dog ate everything I owned!
On one of Chris Jacobson’s ski trip, your husband cheered me on to tackle 1/2 of the black diamond slope (I was a chicken to ski the entire slope)and I have the best photo of the trail of people behind me and Stuart was in that trail.
Our lunches always included you and how much he loved you.
To you and your entire family, god bless you and please know my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cheryl Collins
I offer my condolence and sympathy for you all at this time. Stuart was a good friend, and we shared many conversations about common interests – growing up around a farm, love of cars and mechanical things, living in Eastern NC. As one of my favorite coworkers, I too will miss him. He put up a brave fight. My prayers for you will continue as you mourn and remember. May God bless you and comfort you now and forever.
I offer my condolences to Stuart’s family at this difficult time. Stuart was truly one of my favorite people at Eaton. He always had a kind word and we loved to chat when we both arrived at work early in the morning. I know he fought bravely, and in the end, he WON. You will be in my thoughts and prayers in the coming days and weeks, and I’m certain that God will give you the strength and peace that only He can provide.
Stuart, I’ll miss you brother. When it’s my time we’ll hook up and go do some crazy smoky burnouts! You were me and I am you my fellow late 1959er. Your friend @ Eaton, Roger
Stuart was such a great friend with a great sence of humor! He has been missed for the last month around work, and it will never be the same without him. My prayers are with his mom and dad, wife and daughter.
Bob and I would like to express our sincerest sympathy in the passing of Stuart. Both of us had the great pleasure to know and work with Stuart and consider him a walking testimony of courage, integrity, family importance and faith. Our prayers that God may give your comfort during this extremely sad and difficult time. May you be able to celebrate Stuarts life with all of your good experiences and memories with him.
Blessings,
Bob and Gail Stashick
Stuart is a very special friend! He always had a good sense of humor and always found something good to say, no matter what the circumstances were. I will miss him dearly. Emily
Stuart and I worked together for for about 6 yrs at Eaton. He was a really nice man. Fun to be around and quiet a jokester! We took a few work trips to West VA. He always talked about working on the farm, his daughter, her wife and his parents! Stuart will be truly missed by all who knew him! My prayers are with the family during this time and always!
I enjoyed working with Stuart.
I worked with Stuart at Eaton. Stuart was one of the first people I met when I started just over 4 years ago. I had only been there a few days when I met Stuart because of his involvement with testing the facility’s power by running the generator. I was able to watch him test the equipment. He was very knowledgable and friendly, and remained that way for the next 4+ years I had the pleasure of knowing him.
You have my deepest sympathy for your loss during this difficult time. Stuart will be missed.
Carlton Hammond
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. I worked with Stuart and will remember him as a wonderful young man who was very respectable and hard working. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sandy Predmore
Stuart was a joy to work with and I feel honored to have known him. He always kept a smile on his face even during difficult times. We will miss you and our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Stuart’s vitality and humor will be so missed. We talked often about Virginia since I am a native and he lived there at one time. Working with him for several years, we talked daily and he never failed to make me smile. He had such a beautiful heart and I will miss him. Customers at Eaton always spoke fondly of Stuart. His work ethic was unmatched and his committment to the customer’s needs was stellar. We all gained something special by knowing Stuart.
Lorraine and Carrie,
Our hearts are aching for you. We are so sorry for your loss. Lauren is in Memphis on a youth mission trip so she can’t be at the service. She sends her love to Carrie. Please know that your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Blain, Suzanne, Allen, Tyler and Lauren Bice
‘ And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.’ Rev. 21:4
My deepest sympathies to your family in this time of loss. Stuart was a good man and will be sorely missed.
Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. I worked with Stuart for several years and he was a pleasure to work with. He was always ready to help and was extremely customer focused, always willing to go the extra mile. Stuart was a great asset to our organization as well as a great human being and he will be sorely missed.
Lorraine & Carrie,
I worked with Stuart for many years and he shared many of his memories of when he worked on the farm as well as funny family stories. I thought very highly of Stuart but I know he is now with God. May God grant you His grace and mercy to see you through this difficult time.
My condolences to Stuart’s family and I pray that you find strength in the Lord during this difficult time. Stuart was a friend and we will miss him greatly. He had a strong love for his family and he spoke about you often. My prayers are with you.
Dear Aunt Margaret, Uncle Harry, Lorraine and Carrie, ‘Butch’ will be missed by all. Richard and I send our deepest sympathy. Love Nancy and Richard
Lorraine & Carrie,
I feel blesssed to have known Stuart, he was a well-admired example to many people and will surely be missed by many. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. God Bless.
I worked with Stuart during my first 5 years at Eaton – we often talked of farm life, since I grew up on a farm in Alabama. His love of life, committment to family, and sense of humor cannot be matched.
I hope you find peace in the memories and love left behind.
I cannot express how sorry I am at the loss of Stuart. The years I worked with him proved him to be a good person, kind & always helpful, going out of his way many, many times. He will be missed.
Lorraine, Carrie, Mr and Mrs Bridges, I am lucky to have had Stuart as a friend. His wonderful sense of humor kept us all on our toes. He was never at a loss for words. He spoke of each of you with great love and respect. Please accept my deepest condolences during your time of mourning.
I am so very sorry for your loss but so glad that I had the chance to meet, work with and enjoy good times with Stuart. He was a great man and will be deeply missed.
Stuart has been a true inspiration to me during my time working with him. Although my postion the last year a half has changed the frequency we interacted with one another, I always enjoyed our conversations, work and pleasure alike, when the opportunity arose. Stuart truly raised the bar as an employee of Eaton, as a person of humanity and as a child of God. Thank you Stuart.
I was saddened to hear of Stuarts passing…I only worked with him briefly but he always had a great attitude and was always willing to help out when needed! He was a good guy. Martin
My heart goes out to the entire Bridges family. I only met Stuart a couple of times at Mission Belles things with his mom. It was always obvious what a wonderful gentleman he was. Stuart, you will be missed by all who met you.
Love,
Amber Burgess Cox
I worked with Stuart quite frequently over the phone in my position in Warranty. His was one of the few phone numbers that I recognized immediately and I always enjoyed speaking with him, even about work. He was extremely dedicated to his customers, but also helpful and understanding to us in warranty. He was one of a few who always strived to improve things for all involved and you could tell that he also took that philosophy and applied it to the rest of life. He will certainly be missed.
I worked with Stuart on all my warranty jobs, he is was so helpful and always went above and beyond to get the information people needed. And with the many conversation we had, Stuart was an animal lover as I am, and so kind to all. I will miss our conversation and he will always be remembered as one of the nicest people I knew. I am so sorry for his family & friends.
TO the Bridges Family
Stuart was a pleasure to work with and was always concerned about the Customer. He conducted hisself in a very professional manner and did everything in he could to improve the Eaton Warranty issues. He will be missed.
The Bridges Family-
I will miss the random calls on the phone to talk about the ‘farm’ and how many poles you guys needed to mend the fences. I will also miss the times Stuart stopped by my shop on the way to his parents so we could just talk about anything and everything. Rhonda & I will pray that the Lord will comfort your entire family at this most tragic time. We wish for you a healing that only God can supply.
Tony, Rhonda & Logan
I am saddened by the passing of Stuart; he has been a valuable asset to our Channel Partnership with Eaton Corp and a great friend. He will be missed. His spirit has been an inspiration to me. God has answered my prayer;it just wasn’t the answer I was looking for. Stuart will remain a part of me forever. I will miss his ‘good ole boy spirit’ and his jokes. My condolences to his family; he spoke of you often and loved you deeply; Spoke often about how he admired his dad and loved working with him side by side.
With deep sadness,
Jan Dagle- Standard Electric
How fortunate I feel to have known Stuart during my 4 years in Avery Creek. Since I live with multiple dogs, Stuart often shared antics of your golden retriever Mandy. His remarkable humor and helpfulness touched the lives of everyone he met. May your treasured memories be a comfort to you.
I had the pleasure of working with Stuart through Eaton’s warranty department here in Greenwood. I had the pleasure to associate a face with the name when Stuart came to Greenwood for training. In his time here at the plant Stuart we would often talk about family and the ‘farm’ endeavors. It was my pleasure and honor to call him a friend. He will be missed. May God comfort the Bridges family during this time.
Lorraine and Carrie – you are both in my thoughts and prayers. Stuart was a very strong independent individual. He and I spent some time early in his cancer fight sharing stories and I admired how quickly he grew in acceptance of the cancer and his resolve to not let it stop him from living. We can all can be proud of his efforts. May God comfort and guide you through this tough time.
With kindest regards – Merle Pinnekamp
Stuart was a close friend and co-worker. His competitive spirit and compassion for life will be sorely missed. He was dedicated to his family, work and love of life. God Bless.
I worked with Stuart at Eaton for several years. Though I didn’t spend a lot of time with him, I always knew he would help me when asked. I especially enjoyed the time we spent playing basketball in Fairview acting like teenagers again. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I am so sorry for your loss and I am so sorry that we have drifted apart. Parents should not have to bury a child and a woman should only have to lose 1 husband. May God’s healing hand watch over you and Carrie. Love you!
Lorraine, Carrie, Margaret and Harry,
I’m so sorry to hear about ‘Butch’. I remember the early days on the farm and when he had the white Pontiac Trans Am. I also recall his success in college and his career. I believe with all my heart that he loved his family very much. I will pray that you can move forward in this very difficult time of loss with his memory.
Jack, Melissa and James Michaels
I met Stuart through our jobs at Eaton and always enjoyed interacting with him. He was always helpful, whether he was helping with United Way, answering an engineering question or taking names for Girl Scout cookies. He will be deeply missed at Avery Creek.
Lorraine & Carrie: My deepest sympathies to you and the family. Stuart was simply just a great guy, a great friend and co-worker. I was blessed to have crossed pathes with Stuart. My condolences to the family.
Sue McClosky
I work as an engineer at the Eaton facility in Greenwood, SC. I met and worked with Stuart through Eaton. Stuart was always a very upbeat and positive person. He was always very detailed about his work and went above and beyond to help. I only had the opportunity to meet him once but I could tell he was a man of great character. He will be missed greatly. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. I know God will comfort you and meet all your needs.
To a great man, friend and
co-worker. It was a pleasuare to know Stuart and to see that even when he was told he had cancer that he lived his life to the fullest and keept such a positive attitude.
Deb
My thoughts and prayers are with Stuart’s family at this very difficult time. I work for Eaton at the Fayetteville plant and had the privilege to work with Stuart over the past few years. He was extremely dedicated to his work and such a vibrant person. He will be deeply missed.
I had the privilege of working with Stuart. Although we were not in the same city, he was most helpful to me and was always asking how my day was going. Stuart will be missed by all of us. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I worked with Stuart for 7 years at Avery Creek. I saw his passion and concern for his customers whenever he involved me in issues. That dedication will be missed.
My thoughts and prayers with you and your family.
Dear Margaret and Harry, We are sorry for your loss at the passing of Stuart.
Our prayer is that God might comfort you at this time.
Just give us Jesus; Jesus really is enough.
Marc and I are so sorry for your loss. We both worked with Stuart at Avery Creek. He was such a gental sweet man and will be greatly missed.
May God be with each of you, his family, during this time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Stuart the past 5 years in Avery Creek and remotely from Boston. Our friendship blossomed from the basketball court to working on projects. I value his friendship dearly and will truly miss him. May God bless your family in your time of bereavement.
My condolences. I worked with Stuart for many years at Eaton. We always talked about classic cars.
He has to be one of the bravest guys I have ever known. He will be missed.
Mike, Lynn and Mallory Ray
One of the finest persons I’ve ever known in my 29 years with Westinghouse & Eaton. He will be forever missed! Thoughts & Prayers are with his wife and daughter who I know he was always proud of!
LORAINNE & CARRIE,
I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR OF STUARTS PASSING, I UNDERSTAND THE HARD SHIPS YOU TWO ARE GOING THROUGH BUT WE PUT THIS IN GODS HANDS AND HE WILL GUIDE US THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TIME. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANY THING I CAN DO FOR YOU TWO JUST CALL ME.
LOVE & PRAYERS
SHEILA
Stuart went above and beyond whenever anyone needed his help. He truly cared, both personally and professionally, and always thought of others before himself. I feel priviledged to have known him. My condolences to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.
My condolences to Stuart’s family. While others would barely give you the time of day, Stuart always gave 120%. He will be missed.
I am so sorry to hear about Stuart’s passing. He was a great friend. I’m glad I got the chance to meet with him one day after work and catch up on old times from our childhood. Our cows used to get in his pasture when we were kids and we would have to round ’em up. We had alot of fun going to French Broad Elementary and NB High. He will be missed. He’s in Heaven now with Mother and they’re walking the streets of gold. My prayers are with his family.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Robert Rogers I’m
Wayne ‘Shorty’ Rogers Grandson
To Stuart’s Family:
I have skied with Stuart for the last 8 years as part of the Dominion Power Ski group. He was a very good friend to me and all the people that skied together. He will always be remembered as a true southern gentleman. Henry Connolly, Norfolk, VA
I was so saddened to hear of Stuart’s passing. I grew up with Stuart and was a classmate with him through French Broad Elementary and North Buncombe High School. I had the privilege to visit with him along with others I hadn’t seen for over 30 years at our high school reunion a year or so back. Stuart was always kind and a genuine friend to everyone. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to reconnect with a childhood friend. May God comfort and bless all of you. Life is so short and so precious. Jesus, help us love and live each day to the fullest.
I will miss Stuart. I worked with Stuart for 4 years at Avery Creek before being transfered. Stuart was always a bright spot in my day and an absolute pleasure to work with and to be friend. GOd Bless to Stuart’s family.
I was saddened to hear about Stuart’s passing. He was a gentle person who was friendly with everyone at Eaton. His gentle soul will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Kathy Hembree
Lorraine, Carrie & Family,
Words cannot express the sorrow I felt today when I read that Stuart had passed away. Please know what a pleasure it was to be able to know Stuart and how much I thought of and respected him. I know I speak for all of the members of our staff how much he will be missed and how we treasure the gift of knowing him.
Please let us know if you need us we are here for you. Love and prayers during this time. Jody Reagan, Dr. Anderson and the staff of Biltmore Family Medicine
Harry & Margaret: We were so sorry to hear of the loss of your son. Please accept our condolences and know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Perhaps my older brother said it best: ‘Of all your friends I ever met, I liked Stuart the best — he was the most genuine.’ I met and became friends with Stuart in the 9th grade. His friends were a cross-section of every stereotypical group a high school can have because of that genuine spirit. As the years went by, and as this guestbook attests, he stayed true to that be yourself nature. My deepest sympathies to Lorraine, Carrie, Harry, and Margaret. Those four were his world noted anytime we got together over the years. I, too, have lost a dear friend. But it’s not goodbye, it’s see you later. I’ll be looking forward to that heavenly ride in his white TransAm.
Dear Bridges Family –
I am so sorry to hear about Stuart’s passing. I worked with him for five years at Eaton. He was always a hard worker who loved his family and always spoke very highly of them. Our prayers are with you.
Every winter, for the past 20 some years, a group of us from different backgrounds would come together and take a bus trip for a 4 day trip to 7-springs, Pa. to enjoy each others company, drink a little, play some cards, and most importantly – ski. Although some of the faces changed over the years, a band of brothers emerged… the ones that were committed to being out on the slopes every day, always helping and pushing each other to do our best. Stuart was the glue that held us together. In our last trip I was inspired by Stuart – by his courage, his strength, and his grace. I am proud and fortunate to have been part of Stuart’s journey. He loved his family and his career. I speak for all of us when I say, ‘we love you brother.’ You will be missed, never forgotten, and always in our hearts…
My deepest and warmest thoughts are with you all. So sorry for your loss. I pray for peace and strength in your lives. Much love.