Obituary of Donald Kirkley Stuart

STUART-- Donald Kirkley. The retired president of Stuart Broadcasting Co. and founder of the National Baseball Network (NBN) died unexpectedly Thursday, March 23rd at his residence in Darien, Connecticut. He was 69 years old. Born September 25, 1936 in Grundy VA to Russell Thorson and Caroline Clark Stuart, he attended Cincinnati Country Day School and graduated from Brown University in 1960 with a B.A. in English Literature. Prior to the formation of SBC and the NBN, Don was the national sales manager for WPIX-TV, a corporate Vice President of CBS TV Network and the Broadcast Affairs Vice President of the New York Yankees. In 1973, the transfer of Yankee ownership from CBS to George Steinbrenner's group allowed Don the opportunity to create the National Baseball Network. Don moved from New York City to Darien in 1977 and for 29 years was very active in the community. A member of the Wee Burn Country Club, Don was a Life member of the Darien Land Trust and a former Commodore of the Wilson Cove Yacht Club of Rowayton. He is survived by his daughter, Michele Stuart of Watchung, NJ; his sister Lynn Stuart Merrell of Rochester, NY; his nieces and nephew, Caroline M. Tucker of Atlanta, GA, Louise M. Middleton of Pelham Manor, NY, Katherine M. Denny of Atlanta, GA and Stanley W. Merrell III of Rochester, NY; eleven grand nieces and nephews. A service commemorating Don's life to be was Tuesday, March 28th in the Chapel of the Noroton Presbyterian Church of Darien, Darien, Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Darien Library Annual Campaign, 35 Leroy Avenue, Darien, CT 06820. Funeral arrangements provided by the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820