Stuart Cake, Former President of ODU Town-N-Gown, Dies
April 06, 2018
L to R: Stuart Cake, Old Dominion's former COO, David Harnage and G.W. Thompson III, an Old Dominion alum and former director of the Center for Major Explorations, receive awards at the University's 31st Founders' Day luncheon in November.
By Noell Saunders
Stuart Cake, an Old Dominion alumnus, and former president and board member of ODU Town-N-Gown, died April 6.
Cake, a native of Hampton Roads, was an active participant in community functions and dedicated much of his life to helping others.
"Stuart was an ardent supporter of Old Dominion who helped strengthen our connection with the community and provided local residents with a varied menu of opportunities to get more involved on campus," said Old Dominion President John R. Broderick. "He was a terrific friend to many, including me."
Cake was a tireless volunteer with many organizations in the community over the years, including the Virginia Arts Festival; Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore; Back Bay Restoration Foundation; Pungo Strawberry Festival; Toys for Tots; the Virginia Zoo; and as a docent with the Virginia Air & Space Center, Nauticus, and the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center.
"This is certainly a tremendous loss," said Cecelia Tucker, Old Dominion University's assistant to the president for community relations. "I have known Stuart Cake, this larger than life icon, for well over two decades. We will miss his enthusiastic support for Town-N-Gown and Old Dominion University."
Cake served as a president at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Tidewater Toastmasters, Oceanfront Jaycees and Bertha Snyder Children's Care Fund. He also served as a board and executive committee member for the Hampton Roads Navy League.
Cake received several awards throughout his career, including the Rita M. Costello Town-N-Gown Community Service Award; the Outstanding Volunteer Award for the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival and for VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads; Outstanding Member of Oceanfront Jaycees; and Jaycee of the Year for Beach Borough Jaycees.
After his retirement in 2015 from the Department of the Navy, Cake remained active on the board of directors for Town-N-Gown and as a member of the Old Dominion Alumni Association, Old Dominion Athletic Foundation and a host of other organizations.
A visitation for Cake will be held on Friday, April 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Altmeyer Funeral Home-Southside Chapel, located at 5792 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach. A funeral service will follow on Saturday, April 14 at 11 a.m. at Bayside Baptist Church, 1920 Pleasure House Road in Virginia Beach.
