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Laconia---Richard C. Stone, 83, of 165 Academy Street, died at the Lakes Region General Hospital on Friday, May 6, 2005.
Mr. Stone was born January 23, 1922 in Laconia, NH, the son of Rita (Jones) and Ernest Stone, Sr. He was a life long resident of Laconia and was a graduate of Laconia High School, Class of 1940. Mr. Stone enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Force in December of 1940 and was stationed in England for 3+ years with the 8th Air Force. He flew 23 missions over Europe participating in the Battles of Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. He received the Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service, European African, Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbons and the Air Medal with three Oakleaf Clusters. He returned to the United States in November, 1945 and entered the Air Force Reserve. He retired from the Air Force after twenty-two years of total service with the Rank of Master Sergeant. Mr. Stone owned and operated the Stone Vault Co. in Newport, NH.
In 1950, he graduated from commercial flight school and went on to earn instructor rating, multi-engine and instrument rating. He flew commercially as a corporate pilot for twenty-two years, including five years for L. M. Pike and three years for Winnipesaukee Aviation. He retired in 1972. He later was employed by Shaw-Barton of Coshocton, Ohio as their District Sales Representative, retiring in 1988.
Mr. Stone was a member of Mount Lebanon Lodge No. 32 F. & A. M. of Laconia, a member of the Scottish Rite, a 32nd Degree Mason, a member of the Bektash Temple, Past president of the Winnipesaukee Shrine Club, Charter Member of the Mini Patrol, Royal Order of Jesters, Kachina Club, past president of the Newport Flying Club, a member of A. A. R. P., a member of the Belknap Snowmobile Club and the 100 Million Club #1137. He was a life member of the American Legion, Wilkins-Smith Post #l and the Veterans of Foreign Wars #1670 and was a former member of the Laconia Kiwanis Club.
Mr. Stone was a member of the Congregational Church of Laconia.
Survivors include a son, Jeffrey R. Stone, and his wife, Katy, of Laconia, NH; two daughters, Pamela Dimon, and her husband, Tom, of Dover, NH and Vickie Summers and her husband, Peter, of Hernando, Florida; six grandsons, Brendan Dimon, Kalen, Tanner and Skylar Summers and Ryan and Riley Stone; two step grandchildren, Tom Dimon, Jr. and Tracey Dimon; a sister, Shirley S. Scott, of Bow, NH; several nephews and nieces and his former wife and friend, Tomasina Stone, of Laconia, NH. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Ernest A. Stone.
There will be no calling hours.
A Graveside Service, conducted by the Mount Lebanon Lodge, will be held on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 11:00AM at the family lot in Pine Grove Cemetery, Gilford, NH.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, Boston Unit or the Springfield Unit, c/o Bektash Shriners, Memorial Gift Coordinator, PO Box 4086, Concord, NH 03302-4086.
Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is in charge of the arrangements.
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