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Stu Ballantyne
December 6, 1948 to February 26, 2024
Stu Ballantyne passed away suddenly at home at the age of 75. He will be sadly missed by his son Jake and Kayla as well as many friends and colleagues.
He was predeceased by his parents Alex and Eunice, his brother Gary and partner Carla Munson. Carla was predeceased by her parents Del and June and sister Michelle (Shelley) Turner.
When Stu started seeing Carla they soon after had Jake thus their story began. They had at least two things in common; their sense of humor and their love for Jake. He meant the world to them both. For many years they rented a house on Rabbitt Lake Road next door to Stu’s good buddy Lester and Ellen. They really didn’t want to leave that home, but Stu wanted to be sure he left Carla and Jake with something once he was gone so they bought their house in the Rideout. Carla and Stu stuck together through thick and thin; he was there for her when it really counted. He never dreamt she would go ahead of him.
Carla passed away in April of 2022 leaving Stu and Jake to look after one another, and that they did! Stu was a dedicated father; everyone knew he had to be home Monday to Friday at noon when Jake came to Stu’s for lunch. Stu really looked forward to their noon hour routine particularly on Fridays since he often wouldn’t see Jake again until Monday at noon.
Stu was well known for his big mop of curly hair and he passed that trait on to Jake. His heart was as big as his hair and he had a smile to match. You could tell the seasons by his hair; when you saw Stu sporting a fresh haircut, you knew spring had truly sprung!
Stu had diesel in his blood, he was a trucker through and through, a real Pro! He was well respected by his fellow truckers and other co-workers alike as well as his employers.
Stu got his handle Hook from his early days with Bill’s Towing. He then joined the Teamsters and those were his real hay days, he worked hard and played hard. He bought himself a Rolex watch which he was never without and his big ruby and sapphire rings.
Stu again changed gears and started hauling for Devlin Timber in the early to mid 80’s. He did it all, from hauling paper to Minneapolis, to hauling granite to Vermilion Bay. He thought that he had hauled and seen everything until he got the call that a circus truck broke down and he had to haul an elephant, then he knew for sure he had hauled everything!
Stu ended his career with Hal Moncrief; he was a valued and loyal employee from 1993 until they both semi-retired in 2019. Stu decided he would let his license go this year and fully retire. Hal loved and respected Stu and will greatly miss his friendship and candor.
Stu enjoyed the simple pleasures in life: NFL football, a cold Blue, a nice truck, a good laugh and time with friends. He went for a little cruise around town everyday and often stopped off for a cold one at one of his favorite watering holes. Stu owned a chair or two in more than one local tavern. He was known to say “I’ll see you at the window”. There were many a laughs and BS stories shared over the years, and more to be told and retold, Stu will continue to live on in the hearts of his friends. Cheers good buddy!
There will be a celebration of life on Saturday March 9th at “The Log Cabin Tavern” from noon to 3 pm.
Jake and Kayla are looking forward to seeing everyone, swapping stories and sharing laughs in true Stu fashion.
In lieu of flowers Jake and Kayla request donations to “It’s a Dog’s Life”