Kris Norman Stewart

Norman Kris Stewart, 74, a lifelong resident of Francestown, NH, passed away unexpectedly at his home on February 13, 2026, following a sudden illness.

Kris was born on December 27, 1951, in Nashua, NH, the son of Norman James Stewart and Elizabeth Barnard Kittredge.

As a young child, Kris's interest in earth-moving equipment was sparked while driving to Florida, watching the interstate highway system being built. He loved sports, participating in basketball, football, baseball, and softball. He was also on the student council and served as class president his junior year.

Kris graduated from Peterborough High School in 1969 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Summa Cum Laude, from New England College in 1973.

During his college years, Kris worked for R.W. Payne, building the Henniker bypass and developing his passion for earth-moving. In 1972, he founded Stewart Construction and purchased his first dozer. When not moving earth, Kris worked at Crotched Mountain Ski Area, maintaining equipment, making snow, and grooming trails. He loved the mountain and everyone and everything that made it special.

Kris's passion for construction only increased with his first pit purchase in 1984. This led him to establish Francestown Sand & Gravel, Inc. in 1997. In his 50+ years of business, Kris became known for his honesty, integrity, and commitment to excellence. In 1998, his son, Joshua K. Stewart, fulfilled Kris's dream by joining him as an owner/operator of FS&G.

On the rare occasion that Kris could not be found in his excavator, he was likely cheering on his children or grandchildren at a sports game. He was an avid sports fan and was one of the loudest voices in the crowd.

Kris was passionate about heavy equipment and took great pride in showcasing his fleet of vintage Mack trucks in antique truck shows around New England. He loved attending the local fairs and watching the truck and tractor pulls. He passed on his love for family dinners, storytelling, classic rock, country music, guns, hunting & fishing, Westerns, sports, and classic muscle cars to his children and grandchildren. His sense of humor and ready wit made him the center of attention.

He cherished visiting his daughter Jessy and family in VT, as well as vacationing oceanside. Labor Day was always spent at the red house, building floats and celebrating the town and people he loved. Ever devoted to his community, Kris sought ways to ensure Francestown Labor Day's success: he founded the annual mud volleyball tournament and sponsored pig scrambles and home run derbies. With a deep love for his country, he always celebrated July 4th at the New Boston parade.

Kris was a member of the Granite State Antique Truck Club, Northeast Rockbusters, New Hampshire Firearms Coalition, and GSOWA. He was an avid supporter of the Francestown Fire Department, Tunnel to Towers, Wounded Warriors, and a sponsor of the Cheshire Fair and Hillsborough Agricultural Fair.

Kris was predeceased by his mother, Betty, and his father, Norman. He is survived by his wife, Lisa (Goodwin) Stewart; his children, Joshua Kris Stewart and wife Melissa, Jessica Kittredge (Stewart) Riley and husband Jason; stepson, Robert Podsadowski, and wife, Becky; and stepson, Eric Podsadowski. Kris's sister, Deborah (Stewart) Adams, and her husband Dave also survive him. Kris, aka "Grampy," adored his grandchildren: Noah and Grace Stewart, Scarlett Riley, Madison and Ryan Podsadowski, Jacob Ellis, and Adam, Nolan, and Skylar Podsadowski.

A celebration of life for Kris will be held at the Francestown Sand and Gravel Pit, 200 Francestown Road, Bennington, NH, on Saturday, June 20th, at noon.

Donations can be made in memory of Kris N. Stewart to the Francestown Volunteer Fire Dept. Please make checks out to Mount Crotchet Firefighters Association. PO Box 221, Francestown, NH 03043.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Holt-Woodbury Funeral Home. www.holtwoodbury.com.