Donald Stewart was remembered this week for his financial expertise and as a “thinker” as a member of Hamilton City Council.

Mr. Stewart, who was the vice president for government affairs at Ohio Casualty before he retired in 1996, died Nov. 12. He was 82.

He came to Hamilton in 1971 after his company was acquired by Ohio Casualty. Mr. Stewart was very active in the community and on various boards. He served six years on City Council.

Former mayor Adolfo Olivas remembered Mr. Stewart as being “very quiet and reserved.”

“He was very good with numbers and looking at the (city’s) budget and budget funds,” Olivas said. “As a councilman, he really understood the budget and the budgeting process.”

Olivas said that Mr. Stewart spoke very little and worked behind the scenes a lot.

“He was pensive and he was a thinker and listened to both sides,” Olivas said. “When we’d take votes, we weren’t sure how he would vote because he kept things close to his vest. He’d surprise me, both good and bad.”

Olivas also said he helped fellow council members understand the budget in areas such as the segregation of funds and what they could and couldn’t do.

“He also helped a lot of candidates as their campaign treasurer,” Olivas said.

Stewart was a member of the Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder and treasurer.

He was active as a board member with the Hamilton Rotary Club and was a board member and treasurer for the Open Door Food Pantry. He was a founding member of Sister Cities of Ohio, serving as a board member, treasurer and as president when retiring from the board. Mr. Stewart also served as a board member of the Hamilton Human Relations Commission, Hamilton German Village Commission, LifeSpan, Greater Hamilton Labor Management Council, Butler County Elderly Service Board, GHCC; board member and treasurer of Butler County United Way and treasurer of the Butler County Republican Party.

Mr. Stewart was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Margaret. He is survived by his three children.

A memorial service was held Nov. 15 at The Presbyterian Church of Hamilton.