Alastair John Stair, 63

CLAVERACK, N.Y.

:Alastair John Stair, 63, died on May 15 in an auto accident. He was the son of the late Alastair A. Stair and Gladys Stair.

Born in Mineola, N.Y., John was educated in both England and the United States. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1961 and served his country until 1964. After his tour of duty, John returned to England to work for Sotheby's in London. While in London, he developed his knowledge of antiques, specializing in English furniture.

In 1968 John returned to New York to work with his father at the renowned Stair and Company on 57th Street. Shortly after that, Sotheby's called on John to help open its first New York City office. Then, in 1971, John moved to Beverly Hills to assist Sotheby's with starting up a West Coast operation called Sotheby's Los Angeles.

By the mid 1970s John found himself back in New York City where he opened a store with his new business partner, Ward Landrigan, called Landrigan and Stair. In 1980 John's path would cross again with Sotheby's in New York City. It was then that he developed and successfully ran Sotheby's Restoration for 15 years. After leaving Sotheby's, he went on to pursue other venues, including a thriving appraisal business and hosting a popular antiques radio show on National Public Radio.

John is survived by his three sons, Alastair Colin Stair of Livingston, N.Y., Brian Daniel Stair of Huntington, N.Y., and James Alexander Stair of New York, N.Y.; his grandchildren Holly Elizabeth, and Alastair John; and his sister Nancy Stair Kwas of Greenlawn, N.Y.

A service in John's honor will be held on Thursday May 19, at St John the Evangelist Church in Stockport, N.Y., at 11 am. A reception will follow at the Mission Grange Hall in Claverack. A private family burial will be held the next day. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Stratton Virginia Medical Center, C/O Voluntary Service, 113 Holland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208.