Obituary of Thomas Stone

Thomas E. Stone Allegany, NY-Thomas E. "Tom" Stone, 60, of Five Mile Rd. passed away peacefully on Sunday (April 12, 2015), surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous fight against pancreatic cancer. Born November 25, 1954, in Jamestown, he was the son of Doris (Frink) Stone and the late Robert Earl Stone. Tom was a 1972 graduate of Randolph Central School. He was proud to have operated the family dairy farm on Coldspring Road in Randolph for several years following his graduation. Tom loved his farm. After the loss of the farm due to fire, he moved to Allegany to begin a career as a milk inspector for Saputo Dairy (formerly Friendship Dairy in Friendship). That also was the beginning of his wonderful marriage on September 16, 2005, to his soul mate, Linda Cotton Stone. Tom's wife, family, and friends were the center of his life. He always enjoyed family gatherings. For the past fifteen years, he cooked chicken barbecues for his mother's birthday party and many other parties for friends. Tom had hard working hands that were immensely talented. He could build anything, and he loved sharing his talents and time with family and friends-always helping with projects and performing them unselfishly and with exactness and pride. Tom was a kind and loving husband, who cherished his loving wife, Linda. He was a devoted son, supportive brother, loving grandfather, and great friend. Tom was a blessed gift and will leave us all with a hole in our hearts. Survivors include his loving wife, Linda Stone of Allegany; his devoted mother, Doris F. Stone of Randolph; his two sisters, Karolie Lerow and her husband, The Rev. Donald, of Jacksonville, NC, and Doneen S. Nikas of Hudson Falls; his children and step children, whom he loved as his own, Jason Stone, Tyler Stone, Chris Pontti, Chuck Pontti, Scott Pontti, Jane Tingley, Joseph Crosson, Matt Crosson, Wendy Minges, Christy Grubbs, and Ashley Cotton; his brother-in-law; sisters-in-law; many loving grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Friends may gather with the family from 11am until 2pm on Friday (April 17, 2015) at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean. A Celebration of Life service will begin at 2pm in the funeral home. The Rt. Rev. Donald Lerow, brother-in-law to Tom, will officiate. Tom's family wishes to thank everyone for their love, care, kindness, and support during the past difficult months. Memorials, if desired, may be made to The Allegany American Legion, 4350 Route 417 Allegany, NY 14706 or Lustgarten Foundation, Cure Pancreatic Cancer, 1111 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714.Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.