Donald Stone, 81, of Whiting passed away Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at home. Donald worked for Perini Corporation Local 472, Framingham, MA for many years before retiring.
Born in Blountstown, FL, he resided in Hazlet, NJ for thirty-eight years before retiring to Bell, FL. He moved back to New Jersey in 2012 settling in Whiting. Donald proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1962-1967.
Donald was predeceased by his siblings, Paul, Buddy, Sue, Hazel, and Dorothy. Donald is survived by his loving wife Linda of 60 years, his daughter Denise Cruz of Aberdeen, his son Mark Stone of FL, his sister Dianne Stone Ford and five grandchildren, Mark Jr., Jacqueline, Jessica, Amaya, Sofia and three great-grandchildren.
Interment 2pm Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Arneytown. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Dear Linda:
We are so saddened to hear of Donald’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers go to you and your family.
We didn’t realize that Donald was that ill. What happened?? He was also so full of life and had a great spirit around him.
Our prayers are with you.
Love,
Diane and Darrell Rade,acjer
Florida
In Loving Memory of Donold Stone
(All true stories marked with [TRUE], polished for clarity and flow)
Don wasn’t just my father-in-law—he was my father in every way that counted. A true friend, a partner in crime, and a man whose heart was as generous as his opinions were firm. He lived by the old-school code: if it worked in 1965, it still worked today. And somehow, it always did. [TRUE]
There was nothing Don wouldn’t do for someone in need. He was the kind of man who showed up, fixed what was broken, and never asked for anything in return. I honestly can’t think of anyone who had a bad word to say about him—well, maybe Linda, but after 60 years of marriage, that’s just part of the love story. [TRUE]
Don and I? We were outlaws. Not the dangerous kind—the “accidental felons” kind. Like the time we went fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, thinking it belonged to Mexico and surely they wouldn’t mind. [TRUE] Turns out:
1. The Gulf is patrolled by the U.S. [TRUE]
2. Saltwater fishing has rules. Who knew? [TRUE]
3. There are limits on what and how much you can catch. [TRUE]
4. And apparently, catching everything that bites—including a baby shark—is frowned upon. [TRUE]
We filled a whole trash can with catfish, skeet, and that little shark—before I even knew there was a song about it. [TRUE] We were proud. Until a local warned us the game warden was checking IDs. That’s when we became fugitives, racing back to hide the evidence. Don called a few buddies to help “dispose” of the fish—probably the best fish fry the neighborhood ever had. [TRUE]
That was Don. A man who turned every moment into a memory. A man who did more father-son things with me than I ever did with my own dad. For that, I’m forever grateful. [TRUE]
Don, I love you, buddy. I’ve missed you these past few years, and I’ll miss you forever. Thank you for being the best Pop Pop to the girls, and for being the kind of man I could always count on. [TRUE]
Rest easy, my friend. You were one of a kind