As Stew Leonard’s prepares for the holiday — and shoppers prepare to brave the crowds there — it’s a good time to look back at warmer weather.
And the original Stew Leonard.
But not as a mega-store owner.
Longtime Westporter Larry Hoy — son-in-law of famed illustrator and Westport resident Ed Vebell — writes:
I’ve had these illustrations set aside for years, because I am a water skier and I thought they were really cool.
Ed had told me they were of Stew Leonard and done a long time ago, but I didn’t see much info on the drawings.
Stew Leonard, by Ed Vebell
I recently ran into Stew Jr. I asked him if he wanted them, and brought them over.
Stew Sr.’s wife Marianne was overjoyed. She is putting them up in her house, along with his trophies.
Turns out Stew was a national champion trick skier in 1957. Ed, who had moved to Westport in 1953, had been commissioned to do illustrations of him for a 1956 Sports Illustrated story, “Water Fun.”
The connection between these 2 guys just came to light when Marianne called to thank us. We started to realize what a great story this is.
Stew was famous for his revolutionary marketing concepts (recognized by Harvard Business School) and a national champion water skier.
Ed was a famous illustrator (his Nuremberg Court drawings are in the Holocaust Museum) and an Olympic fencer (qualifying for the 1952, ‘56 and ‘60 Games).
Their paths crossed in 1957. But both families are just now getting all the details of their story together.
According to a 2018 Norwalk Hour story by George Albano, the 26-year-old “Norwalk milkman” won the North American Water Ski Championship in ’57 — after picking up the sport just a year earlier.
He learned through trial and error on Saugatuck Shores. He and his brothers Leo and Jim dug out what they called “Bermuda Lagoon,” and practiced.
Stew Leonard in action. (Photo courtesy of The Hour)
Leonard told Albano, “Those days you delivered milk to people’s houses. So I started work at 3 a.m., and was done by 11:30. That was the edge I had, that and I had the lagoon. I was able to practice till dark.”
At the national event, he competed against water skiers from Florida and California, who practiced all year. “We had July and August,” he said.
Leonard also invented and patented a “Skee-Trainer.” Attached to a tow rope, it was designed to teach people to water ski. He sold them through Sears & Roebuck.
The future supermarket mogul was a multi-sport athlete. He was a goalie on the Norwalk High School ice hockey team. They played at the old Crystal Rink on Crescent Street. (The ramshackle building — fondly called the “Crystal Ice Palace” — drew notables like Olympians Carol Heiss and Dorothy Hamill. It’s where Paul Newman practiced too, for his 1977 movie “Slap Shot.”)
Stew Sr. also pole vaulted for Norwalk High and the University of Connecticut. But water skiing was his favorite sport. He retired in 1961 after injuring his back while practicing tricks. He became a lifetime member of the American Water Ski Association.
In 1976, Stew Leonard was honored for his water ski achievements by the Sportsmen of Westport.
His other accomplishments — including turning his father’s milk business into what Ripley’s called “the world’s largest dairy store” (albeit one that sells lobsters, flowers, wine and cashmere) — are stories to be told another day.
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This is probably not a good time to ask how the new Wegman’s is doing, but how do you think the store is doing?
we went there only once a few days after they opened. it was SHOCKINGLY expensive. it was so shocking that we will never return
John, Wegmans is constantly one of the top Supermarkets in the country. The recent rankings include 2nd best in a 2025 by Newsweek! Their quality control is the absolute best! Really, John, you won’t pay a little more for the absolute best? I’m shocked. I guess you’re pinching pennies.
John, Maybe your kind of store is “ Save a Lot” on 540 Pequonnock St, Bridgeport, CT. Their reviews average 3.8, but you’ll like the cheap prices there.
Never knew any of this. Very cool!
The back story is wonderful. Thank you! I will wait to hear the rest of the story. Please provide the sequel.(s)
I feel so grateful to have grown up in Westport. Back in my day the rich and the famous were a part of the everyday lives of very ordinary people of all ages. Our lives were enriched by their contributions. I won’t publish names here but may eventually share some with Dan.
I also learned to waterski on Bermuda Lagoon which will always be “Leonard’s Lagoon” to us old-timers, along with Mike Brenecke and Paul Tolentino on Steve Budner’s boat We were probably 13-14 years old. Does anyone else out there remember the water skiing exhibition that Stew Sr. put on right off the front beach at Compo. Like 50 yards from the beach with ramps and barefoot skiing etc. I’m guessing early 60’s.
I don’t expect anyone to believe this but I don’t lie. I learned to water ski on Candlewood Lake with Marilyn Briggs. I had been told that it was easiest to sit on the edge of the dock and let the boat pull you off but for some reason it didn’t work and I became frustrated. Marilyn suggested that I do it the old fashioned way and start in the water and it worked like a charm.
Eric, Was this the same woman who was on the Ivory Snow box and later became a famous “ movie star?”