Stuart J. Steele

It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of Stuart Jackson Steele of Amherst, NH, and New Castle, NH. Stuart died on October 16, 2026, at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, NH. He was surrounded by his loving family. Stuart was the epitome of hard work, dedication, and love.

He was born on May 4, 1941, to James and Susan Steele. He grew up in Williamstown, MA, an idyllic town in the Berkshire Hills. Country life agreed with him. He enjoyed riding his horse, milking his uncle’s cows, and catching frogs with his sister, Janet.

Most of all, he loved working in Steele’s Store, owned by his father. At the age of six, he was stocking shelves, making change, pumping gas, and listening to the conversations of the South Williamstown men who gathered there.

Stuart attended Williamstown schools and the University of Massachusetts. He graduated from Bryant University in Providence, RI, in 1966 with a degree in Business Administration.

Stuart was an extraordinary entrepreneur, businessman, investor, and philanthropist. Over more than five decades, he built successful businesses in real estate and technology and achieved remarkable success as an investor. But among his proudest accomplishments was The Steele Foundation for Hope, which he and Suzanne created to improve the lives of people in need around the world.

Stuart enjoyed classical styles of architecture and had a flair for design. He loved being surrounded by antiques and beautiful fabrics. These skills were most helpful in designing and decorating his Georgian Colonial home in Amherst in 1986. He traveled to Virginia often, inspecting details in Georgian homes. An art professor from the University of Virginia designed the ceilings in the formal rooms.

Stuart leaves his cherished wife, Suzanne, and three children, Erinn Steele of York, ME, James Steele of West Chester, PA, and Kathryn Emond (Michael) of Amherst, NH. He also leaves his eleven beloved grandchildren, his sister, Janet, of Bedford Hills, NY, and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held on October 29th at 11:00 am at Saint Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church at 190 Meetinghouse Road, Bedford, NH. A private burial will take place in South Williamstown, MA, at a later date.