David Gordon Stone

Good morning everyone. My name is Michael Stone, and I am David Stone’s Son. On behalf of my entire family, we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being here today, to celebrate the life of one of the greatest men we’ve ever known.

As I sat down trying to write this, our house was an absolute zoo. The phone has been ringing off the hook, people are constantly coming in the front and back doors, and there is food pilling up on the counters. Just when I thought I had a couple quiet minutes to get writing, it would happen all over again. I thought about getting frustrated, but then realized this is how important my dad was to his friends, family, and community. Our family has been blown away seeing how many people’s lives my Dad touched on so many different levels and if you were around last night you saw it as well. We can’t thank you enough for your outpouring of love and support.

My dad had many facets, each forming an integral part of the man that he became in his 62 full years of life. He was David the son, brother, friend, colleague, husband, father, and grandfather, that when all put together, made up David the man.

David was born 62 years ago to Anne and Gordon Stone in Sault Ste. Marie, ON, the city that he would proudly call home his entire life. Leaving the Soo was never an option for him, as Debbie found out early on. One of David’s early mottos was “love me, love the Soo”.

Unfortunately David had to go through a similar tragedy in his own life, losing his father at the age of 60 when David was in his final year of the bar ads at Osgoode. Without hesitation, he immediately moved back to the Soo to take care of his mom, sister and wife. He finished the semester remotely, and finished 3rd out of 1050 in his bar admissions class. It was with this dedication to his family that David lived his entire life.

David cherished his role as brother, and although he was younger, often assumed the older brother role, always providing guidance and advice to Jo-Anne when needed. It seemed the only time David played the “little brother card” was when he wanted to drive his sister’s corvette on weekends (he did put $200 towards it you know – and in any event Jo-Anne still had the old Merc to drive). David and Jo-Anne were always very close, and they would tell each other everything, even things they wouldn’t tell their parents. They were inseparable as friends and often skated in the New Year together after all their friends would go home. Raised with a “strong moral code”, David and Jo-Anne were taught to be fiercely loyal and to put family above all else. They were also strictly forbidden to swear, which is why David could always be heard at his angriest yelling “sugar,” or “beans,”.

David was a very loyal friend. Whether he was in the tree stand next to you, struggling to find the duck you just downed, taking you on a “short cut” on a beautiful hike, trying to call the line for the perfect curling shot, enlisting your help with “just a small job”, building another out-building on one of his properties, or just relaxing at his cottage or on vacation, David always enjoyed sharing his past times with his friends; Friends that became so close, they are really extended Stone family, who have played a huge role in all of our lives.

Looking out into the congregation today I see so many familiar faces that David shared these past times with but truthfully I don’t see many of David’s friends; I only see David’s extended family. Extended family members that shared so much with the Stone family, not just David. I’ve always found it incredible how friends of the Stone family get along. Whether friends of my Dad, my mom, my sister, or my own, if you put the whole mixed pot into a room everyone will get along like a family. I don’t know why this is but I suspect its because having all been raised with a good set of values and genuine care for others, we’ve all sought out the same traits in our friends.

Another side of David was David the lawyer, small claims court judge, and colleague. After his initial position with the Provenzano, Provenzano, and MacMillan firm, David chose to venture out on his own. Throughout his career, David was most passionate about helping children going through hard family times. And like so many things in his life, David always went above and beyond. For some children who didn’t have the opportunity elsewhere, David would take them fishing or give them a pair of our old skates and bring them to the oval.

David was always proud to be a part of the Sault law society, and enjoyed interacting with his colleagues both in and outside of the courtroom. Some of his favorite times were the annual lawyer’s curling bonspiel where some of the Sault’s finest lawyers would showcase their innate abilities to excel at the game. It seemed there was always a real tough question at that spiel, did you want to play on Dave’s team or Debbie’s team. His other favorite excursion was heading down to Lambeau Field with the lawyers to watch the Pack with his family in tow. Although we never really got to see him in action, we’ve heard, especially over the past few days, that David was very good at his job, and was very well respected within the law community.

As he did everything else to the best of his abilities, so too did he play the role of husband. This was his most cherished role. After sweeping Debbie off her feet on the Queen’s campus with his vocal and dancing prowess, Debbie and David became inseparable and devoted team mates. Together they tackled all of life’s challenges head on, and did everything as best friends and soul mates. David was Debbie’s biggest fan, and whether it was sitting front row for one of Debbie’s “art shows” after a week away painting with her mom, or in the front row in church while Debbie played the piano, he was always clearly filled with pride and love. He would even try his best to help out in the choir whenever Debbie needed another warm body. If he lost his place in the music, Debbie would just role her eyes and David would give her a little smirk as he tried to get back on cue.

With Debbie by his side, David was the best father any child could ask for. The personal values and family-first mentality he was raised with were front and center in our upbringing. Nothing was ever done because it was the easy choice, but because it was the right thing to do. Dad showed us the importance of honesty, integrity, and responsibility, and taught us that helping other people is one of the most important things you can do in life.

Besides how to be good people, Dad taught Andrea and I so much else. He taught us how to skate faster forwards than he could backwards, and how to “work the lures” while he was more than happy to sit back, untangle our lines, and net the fish. He taught us how to compete as hard as we could, but more importantly, how to always play fair, play with sportsmanship, and respect your opponents.

In the past few years my dad also got to take on a new role, the role of grandfather to Serge’s daughter Riley. He absolutely loved being a grandfather, and would turn everyday tasks into fun jobs with her. In fact, Riley was probably the only girl in the world who looked forward to the spring and melting snow so they could go out and hunt for all the presents the family dogs left throughout the winter. It has been in these past few years with Riley in our lives that we all started getting excited for the next round of grand children, so we could let dad loose on them knowing they would be safe, have fun, and above all learn the valuable lessons that made us all who we are today.

This time wasn’t far away. Laura and I are expecting a little boy in July, and the excitement of seeing Dad with his first grandson was too much to take. Laura and I often imagined what Dad would be like with him. We recently learned that my Dad had decided that he was going to be called Gigi, a tribute to his Polish/Ukrainian background and some of the Gigi’s that this family has already known. We know in our hearts that he would have been one great Gigi.

My dad taught me so much in our time together but the one lesson I never got the chance to have him teach me was how to be a good father. I was so looking forward to him showing me what to do, what to say, and how to make sure the importance of family and doing what is right is instilled in my children. This void was almost unbearable until I realized that my Dad has been teaching me how to be a great father for over 30 years. I just didn’t know it at the time. Now my wife and I, and Andrea and Serge will have the privilege of passing on our Dad’s wisdom and memory to the next generation.

In summary, David the man was a kind, genuine, and caring spirit who as far as I can tell, has never had anything bad spoken about him. His compassion for others was truly exemplary and his spirit will live on in all of us.

A common theme I’ve heard this week is that it’s “just not fair” to have lost someone so dear to all of us, and with so much life ahead. While I want to agree and be angry I just can’t. As my Dad would always preach, you need to look at the good of every situation, and this is how I see it:

My dad had 62 amazing years in this world. He never wasted a day. He truly lived life with passion and zest and his moto of work hard, play hard, family first and taking care of each other will live on. He was around to be a rock for his mom and sister when they needed him after his father passed, he was there to give my mom the best friend she’ll ever have, he was around to raise his kids with love, to get them through school, and to guide them through love and marriage which culminated in December with Dad walking his daughter down the aisle. David left this world with his family taken care of, which is of no surprise. On Friday afternoon when my father turned to walk out to Thorn Island and his body fell I have no doubt that his spirit didn’t skip a beat and kept on going. Although he will be greatly missed, we know he will be with us forever, checking in from time to time between his hikes and fishing trips, to ensure we’re living up to the standards he set before us.

DAVE-ISMS

“Ok Boys, time to go to work”

“I’ll show you how to fish Pilon”

“Is this dinner transportable?”

“Just hopping by”

“Ok lets get this done”

“Did you see that whitetail?”

“Ideally”

“Ok Swamp Buck…this one’s yours”

“Hey Big Andrea”… "Hey Little Dad"

“good woman”

“Oh…..pretty…”

“Oh cripe….Beans….Sugar”

“The Surgeon”

“Are these the glasses?”

“I like me…my wife likes me…my friends like me”

“So….what’s for supper?”

“Let’s get fired up!”

“Lets get the blood pumping!”

Going hunting: “ I don’t know if we are going to get anything, but it will be a nice walk”

“…I wouldn’t do chin ups on it..”

“…Its just a small job”

“This would be a good game to win…”

“…it must've been a rogue wave…”

* * * * * * * * * *

STONE, David Gordon - It is with profound sadness and loving memories that we announce the passing of David Gordon Stone, age 62, on Friday, March 4, 2016. He passed suddenly, while doing what he loved, hiking towards Thorn Island. Beloved husband and best friend of Debbie. Proud father of Andrea (Serge) and Michael (Laura). Loving grandfather of Riley. Son of the late Gordon Stone, survived by his mother Anne and sister Jo-Anne (Gerry). David lived his life with a firm belief in putting family first, and he will be greatly missed by both his extended family and friends. A graduate of Queen’s University Law School, David had a passion for the law and served as a Small Claims Court Judge. He was also particularly proud of his work with the Office of the Children’s Lawyer. Born and raised in the Soo, David was an avid outdoor enthusiast. He was always thrilled to be hunting, camping, or fishing with his family and friends. Visitation at Arthur Funeral Home and Cremation Centre on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 from 2-4 pm and 6-9 pm. Funeral Mass celebrated from Precious Blood Cathedral on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at 11 am. Rev. Hamish Currie officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Matthew’s Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Richard’s Landing, Ontario. David will be greatly missed for his quirky sense of humour, his genuine kindness towards all, his loyal friendship, and his “Coureur de Bois” spirit.