Joseph Stone

DEERFIELD -- Joseph E. Stone, 84, died Nov. 2, 2010, at his home following a sudden illness.

He was born in Hanover April 20, 1926, to William L. and Margaret (Merrill) Stone.

He was a graduate of Hanover High School. He received his bachelor of arts in history at the University of New Hampshire in 1951.

He was a U.S. Marine Corps World War II combat veteran of the South Pacific.

He was a highly regarded athlete and was drafted in baseball by the Brooklyn Dodgers, but declined in order to serve his country. He is a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame at Hanover High School. He taught in high school as a means to coach baseball, football and basketball, which was his passion.

He later was an insurance agent for Mutual of NY and other agencies finishing with R & W Associates in Dover.

He was a member of the Deerfield School Board, served as a selectmen, in parks and recreation and was an instrumental figure in the development and completion of the Bicentennial and Deerfield Community School athletic fields. He coached Little League and basketball. He served as Deerfield's representative in the General Court for 14 years. In 2010 he was awarded the Sherburne Award in recognition of his service to the community.

He was a member of Deerfield Community Church, Hoague- Batchelder American Legion Post 103, and Deerfield Historical Society.

Family members include his wife Constance (Eastman) Stone of Deerfield, four sons: David Stone of Gordonsville, Va.; Brian Stone of Cumberland, Maine; Peter Stone of Grafton; Jeffrey Stone of Laconia; one daughter, Kristin Stone of Tilton, two sisters, Beverly Dart of Tariffville, Conn., and Mary Rexford of East Burke, Vt.

IN HIS LIFE: He also leaves six grandchildren: Jeffrey Stone Jr., Elizabeth Stone, both of whom he helped raise; Jennifer Bills, Richard Stone, Rhiannon Stone, Braelyn Stone; three great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by two brothers, Bill and Richard, and sister Betty Potwin.

SERVICES: Calling hours will be Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Maiden-Petrin Funeral Home, 145 High St., Candia. A memorial service will be Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in Deerfield Community Church.

Memorial donations may be made to Deerfield Community Church, PO Box 420, Deerfield, 03037 or to Deerfield Youth Baseball C/O Joe Manzi, Parks and Recreation Director, Town of Deerfield, P.O. Box 159 Deerfield, 03037.