Stuart Woodworth McGuire Obituary (1928 - 2013)

Stuart McGuire, M.D., Revered Ophthalmologist, aged 84, of West Falmouth, Maine, passed away peacefully on February 1 in the presence of his family at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, Maine. Stuart was born the youngest of three sons in Malden, Massachusetts to Lee Wesley and Ethel Wienes McGuire on December 29, 1928. He went to high school at Malden High School and graduated from Hebron Academy in 1948. He attended Columbia College, transferring to Ohio State University School of Optometry, where he graduated first in his class in 1954. Following a five year term in the US Air Force, he entered University of Michigan medical school where he graduated in 1962, performing an internship in Ann Arbor. He completed his residency in ophthalmology at the Indiana University Medical Center. Stuart returned to his beloved New England and established a private practice on State Street in Portland in 1966 until joining the Maine Eye Center in 1995. He served as Chief of Ophthalmology at Mercy Hospital and an assistant clinical professor for the University of Vermont College of Medicine. Stuart specialized in routine medical ophthalmology and low vision care, which culminated in several years of service with the Iris Network in Portland. In addition to his distinguished surgical practice, he was a pioneer in low vision services as early as the 1970s, and worked to give people with the most serious eye conditions great attention and support. He prized the personal relationships with his patients above all else and was truly an "old school" practitioner, receiving a citation from the Maine Medical Association recognizing his fifty years of devoted service. He enjoyed acting in community theater, performing to warm reviews with the Portland Players in the '80's and '90's, and singing at various benefit venues throughout the region where he was in demand as an entertainer. Those who were fortunate enough to know him recall his jokes, false accents and shaggy stories with warmth and humor. Stuart spent many wonderful summers as a boy on Lake Winnipesaukee and, later, on the beaches of the Kennebunk area, where he worked as a lifeguard and met his beloved wife of 59 years. He and his family enjoyed spending time in the Rangeley Lakes area where they had a vacation home for many years. Rangeley continues to be a special place for all of them. Stuart is survived by his wife, Janet, of West Falmouth, his daughter Christine Scammell and her daughters Hallie and Madison of Scarborough, son Todd and his wife Rebekah and daughters Molly and Abigail of Port Townsend, Washington and his brother Austin Dole McGuire and wife Marion of Salt Lake City, Utah. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Lee and son-in-law Kerry Scammell. Memorial donations may be made to the Iris Network, 189 Park Avenue Portland ME 04102 and the Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route One, #l, Scarborough, ME 04074. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to supportive friends and the caring staff of Hospice of Southern Maine.A period of visitation celebrating his life and accomplishments will be held 5:00 - 8:00 pm, Tuesday, at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Members of the public are encouraged to attend. Burial will be private. Online condolences may be expressed below.