Life with Stuart - By John Kimball

I don't know about the rest of you but I cannot get enough of Stuart these days. If any and all are interested could you share some experiences with Stuart or personal remembrances with the rest of us so that all of us who are hurting now can come together some.
I'll begin by telling you PROUDLY that I was the first Whitla Brothers employee! Stuart had broken his back during a project at Randy and Bob Martin's house and I got a call from Doug (old friend of our family) to ask if I could come on board. I worked for Stuart and Doug for about 10 years leaving in 1997 and have remained close friends with both guys and their families ever since.
As you all know, Stuart was a gentle soul and "doing the right thing" always came naturally to him. He was a quiet, well respected leader and gentleman who rarely raised his voice and always gave the rest of us the calming reassurance that he was in control and in charge.
But.......then there was the road rage!!!!! I know that there are several "documented" instances of this but I recall one even though the details are a little foggy. I believe it went like this: we were working on a job in Chestnut Hill and now and again for lunch we would go down to a place on the corner of Rt. 9 and Longwood Tennis. There were always very few parking places and on this day an older couple had taken up 2 spots. Stuart was out of his mind over the stupidity of this -- ranting and raving until red in the face -- so he slowly backed his van (maybe Montero at that point) up against the fender of the car and pushed it back until it tapped the fender of the car to its rear. Now, the couple's car was sandwiched and we all knew they could not move the car. Stuart giggled to the point of tears throughout the lunch watching the couple a few tables away and waiting for them to finish their lunch and return to witness their new dilemma.
I will always remember that contorted face of Stuart's, tears rolling from his eyes when he really found something funny.
Awesome guy -- awesome life.
John Kimball