Peter Francis Minnock Stewart, Jr

Peter Stewart, longtime sound engineer, radio host, activist, and loyal friend to many, died peacefully at home in Ridgefield, Connecticut, on February 7, 2026, at the age of 70.

Peter Francis Minnock Stewart, Jr. was born in Detroit,, Michigan on September 16, 1955. He and his elder sister Brooke grew up in Wilton, Ct., where Pete graduated from Wilton High School in 1973. He attended Marlboro College in Vermont, and graduated in 1979 from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University in New York. The seeds of his many interests in music, vegetarian cooking, art-making, community service, and sound engineering took root in these places, as did his life-long pleasure in skiing, skating, hiking, and camping.

A free-lance location sound engineer for over 30 years, Pete traveled the world for various film and television projects, including The History Channel, Lifetime Television, and National Geographic. He was generous with his time and talent, donating his expertise and equipment to not-for-profit organizations, museums, and art productions. Prior to his free-lance career, Pete worked as Purchasing Manager for Micrognosis, Inc.  

Alongside and woven through the work he loved, Pete served for nearly 40 years as a radio host at WPKN in Bridgeport, CT. His regular show, Steam of Consciousness, brought R&B, folk, newgrass, rock, and funk to a wide audience of listeners who tuned in as much for the depth of his musicianship, commentary, and interviews as they did for the eclectic musical experience.

Pete’s commitment to volunteering, which he understood as a crucial component of a life lived in devotion to the common good, extended into local activism on behalf of green spaces. He joined the multi-year struggle to preserve the Bennetts Pond area in Ridgefield, Ct., a fight with developers that ended in the creation of what is now Bennetts Pond State Park. Conscientious in all things, Pete was a vegetarian from age 16, and vigilant about his own conservation habits. Nothing made it to his trash bin that could not be repaired, repurposed, recycled or composted.

Pete’s greatest joy came from his family, many close friendships, and his cherished animal companions. A marvelous host, brilliant and witty, Pete made his home a place of warm welcome, great music, generous meals for all comers, hilarious story-telling and lively conversation around the table or by the woodstove. Pete Stewart was a man who lived fully, laughed often, and loved deeply.

Peter was predeceased by his father Peter Francis Minnock-Stewart of Hunts Pond, NJ, mother Prim G. Stewart of Wilton, CT, stepfather Edwin Altschuh of Wilton, CT, uncle Henry Patrick Stewart III of Roosevelt Island, NY, and cousin Henry Patrick Stewart IV of Phoenix AZ. He is survived by his stepmother Mary Ellen (Dougherty) Minnock-Stewart (wife of Peter Francis Minnock-Stewart) of Swarthmore, PA, and Hunts Pond, NJ; sister Brooke Stewart Disbrow and brother-in-law John Owen Disbrow of Wilton, CT; niece Eirinn Stewart Disbrow of Los Angeles, CA.; cousin Canby Stewart of Phoenix, AZ; aunts Dixie Stewart of Phoenix, AZ, and Karen Stewart (wife of Henry Patrick Stewart III) of Roosevelt Island, NY; stepdaughter Grace Ellsworth of Juneau, AK (Sean Stinchcombe, husband, and their son Maxwell Stinchcombe), stepsons Adam Ellsworth of Grand Junction, CO, and Ethan Ellsworth of San Diego, CA.

A celebration of life will be held this spring for family, friends, and colleagues.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to RVNAhealth Home Health Hospice & Rehabilitation in Ridgefield, CT, or WPKN 89.5 FM in Bridgeport, CT, or to CHIRP, Concert Happenings in Ridgefield’s Parks.