The Very Rev Dr Maurice Evan Stewart, who died on October 18th at the age of 75, will be remembered not only as a former dean of St Patrick's cathedral, Dublin, and a former vice-principal of the Church of Ireland Theological College, but as a good-humoured and charming host who was always welcoming and entertaining.
Maurice Stewart was born in Belfast in 1929, the son of Robert Carlisle Stewart, who came from Lambeg, Co Antrim, and Annie (née McCurley). After schooling at the Royal Belfast Academical Institute, he went to Trinity College Dublin, where he graduated with a BA in 1950.
As a theology student preparing for ordination over the following two years, he won no fewer than five prizes - the Biblical Greek, Lambert, Downes, Archbishop King's and Bishop Forster prizes.
He was ordained a deacon in 1952 and a priest in 1953 for the diocese of Connor and spent his first three years in ministry in north Belfast as curate of St James's, Antrim Road. After three years as chaplain at Bishop's College at Cheshunt in Hertfordshire, he returned to Belfast as head of the TCD Mission (1958-1961), before moving to Newcastle, Co Down, where he was rector from 1961 to 1969.
During that time, Stewart completed his BD and in 1965, he married Wendy Margaret McConnell in Kilbride church, Doagh, Co Antrim.
In 1969, the Stewarts moved to Dublin when he was appointed to the staff of the Church of Ireland Theological College. There he took a keen interest in liturgy and was tutor (1969-1980) and vice-principal (1980-1991), and lecturer in Divinity in Trinity College (1973-1991).
During his time at the Theological College, he completed his Ph.D and he was elected to the chapter of St Patrick's Cathedral, first as chancellor in 1980 and then as precentor in 1989.
It was no surprise when he was elected dean of St Patrick's by his fellow chapter members in 1991 in succession to the Very Rev Victor Griffin. While Dean Griffin had a high-profile tenure marked by fearless campaigning, Stewart's tenure was marked by stability and constant diligence.
As the national cathedral, St Patrick's continued to be the venue for important services marking key events in both church and State and former colleagues have described Stewart as "a safe pair of hands".
After retirement in 1999, Maurice and Wendy Stewart went to live in Greystones, Co Wicklow, where he completed his book, Memoirs in Sermons (2000).
His funeral took place last week in his beloved St Patrick's cathedral. He is survived by his wife, their two daughters Alexandra Mary and Susan Margaret, two sons-in-law, grandchildren and his brother Clifford.
Very Rev Dr Maurice Stewart: born January 8th, 1929; died October 18th, 2004.