...retired from Tewksbury School System; USAF Veteran; 68
TEWKSBURY - Phillip J. Stone, age 68, a well known lifelong member of the Tewksbury community, died Monday evening, June 20, at his Tewksbury home, surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous ten year battle with Brain Cancer. He was the beloved husband, and high school sweetheart of Gail (DiPalma) Stone, with whom he had celebrated a 44th wedding anniversary this past August 6th.
Phil was born in Pepperell, June 12, 1943, a son of the late Willard and Bertha (Hanson) Stone. He attended Tewksbury schools and graduated from TMHS with the Class of 1961.
He enlisted into the US Air Force during the Vietnam War, attained the rank of Staff Sergeant, and was honorably discharged in 1968.
He worked for the LaBonte Oil Company in Tewksbury, and Mahoney Oil Company in Lowell before starting his own company in Dracut, Remap Reality. He also owned the Day-Break Diner on the Lowell-Lawrence Boulevard in Dracut. He joined the Tewksbury School System as a maintenance worker, a job he loved and often said, "I love doing it for the children and making them happy."
He was also a member of the Tewksbury-Wilmington Elks, and the U.S. Bunting and Crickett Club.
But of all his accomplishments, he will be best remembered for his love of his family. He lived to support and cheer them on at sporting events; and would fill with joy when a grandchild would rush to greet him as "Papa, Papa," while giving him a hug. He also enjoyed family time while boating, fishing, playing pool, and especially enjoyed bowling with his lifelong friend, Jack Farley.
Besides his beloved wife and best friend, Gail, he leaves three children and their spouses, Michael James and his wife Karen (Ivanovich) of Salem, NH, Jeffrey Phillip Stone and his wife Christian "Chrissy" (Silk) of Tewksbury, and Maria Stone Baker and her husband Charles of Haverhill; four grandchildren, Jackson and Cole Stone, Brody and Joshua Baker; a brother, Robert L Stone and his wife Susan of Nashua, NH; two sisters, Shirley Egan and her husband Francis of Chelmsford, Dr. Bette Ippolito of Exeter, NH; and several nieces and nephews including Sandra Chase of Atlanta, GA; and several brothers-in-law, and cousins.
He was also brother of the late Katherine Chase.
His Funeral Mass was celebrated June 23 in St. William's Church, Tewksbury. Burial with Air Force honors was in Tewksbury Cemetery. Memorials to Saints Medical Cancer Center, c/o Development Office, 1 Hospital Dr. Lowell, MA 01852 and M.V. Hospice 360 Merrimack St. Bldg 9 Lawrence, MA 01843 will be appreciated.