Stuart William Eddy, the first, last and the only, of Naples, who recently celebrated the 78th anniversary of his birth, passed away in Naples, Fla. on Monday, Aug. 10, 2020.

Stuart was born in Providence, Rhode Island. He was the loving son of the late Deborah (Powers) and Robert F. Eddy of Barrington, RI. He lived a colorful life growing up in Barrington and spent his youthful summers in Maine at Camp Winona with his brothers. He attended Gordon School, Providence Country Day and Barrington High. After further schooling in South Carolina he returned to Rhode Island to join, and later manage, the family textile business. The Tillinghast-Stiles Company founded 1892. He stayed with the company for over 25 years until semi-retirement in 2004.

In his search to hire a calligrapher thru the yellow pages, fate introduced him to someone with whom he would share the rest of his life. On March 17, 1994 he married the love of his life, Sharon Oberton at Clam Pass Beach in Naples. This was the first of many St. Patrick Days they would celebrate together.

A social butterfly, he was a long time member of many clubs thru the years: the American Yarn Spinners Association, Sons of the American Revolution, Squantum Association, Wannamoisett Country Club, West Barrington Men’s Club, Annawan Club, Rhode Island Yacht Club, Eddy Family Association. He was a Mason and past Master of Adelphi Lodge 33.

Stuart and Sharon moved to Naples permanently in 2004 to begin Stuart's semi-retirement in the Sunshine State. Stuart attributes his 13-plus years of sobriety, with his local AA groups, to saving his life. He made and enjoyed many friends at AA who helped him thru the tough times and the celebrate the good.

Another source of comfort came to Stuart from his faith and Oak River Church family in Bonita Springs. He loved his ushering assignments and looked forward to helping when he could.

Stuarts interests included a love of golf, country music, the Red Sox and the Patriots. He enjoyed watching and sharing his love of all New England sports teams. Stuart was a man with a hat for every occasion. Be it a holiday, a party or no special occasion at all. He found this a fun way to entertain himself and others.

Stuart was known for his one-of-a-kind sense of humor, and enjoyed making fun things happen. He was fiercely loyal, family was everything to him. His family included his devotion to many dogs over the years. Owning Great Danes and St. Bernards, to most recently Cleo, a small Lhasa Apso. His family always looked forward to his unique “Happy Anniversary of your birth!” song once a year whether received live or via voice mail. It always brought joy and warmth from Southwest Floor-idi-ya to us all.

Besides his wife, he leaves two sisters, Phoebe Horne and her husband, David, and Deborah Plummer. Sisters-in-law Barbara Eddy and Carol Oberton. Brothers-in-law Ken and Mark Oberton, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his brothers, Robert F. Eddy Jr. and Jesse P. Eddy IV.

Due to Covid-19, memorial services will be planned at a later date, both in Florida and Rhode Island.

He will be buried at Swan Point Cemetery, Providence, RI, at the Eddy Family plot.

Memorial contributions may be made to SaveNoseyNow.org or to SNN at 2680 Bobcat Trail, Titusville FL 32780. Nosey is a circus elephant Stuart and Sharon witnessed being abused in Lake Wales, FL. After meeting Nosey up close in 2015, he and Sharon got involved with work for her rescue to sanctuary. The group Save Nosey Now continues to work towards freeing other abused captive elephants.

In the words of his favorite Uncles, Walkie and Bill, he often quoted “Bye for now”.