George H. Stone, Sr., 87, of Main Street North died Sunday March 1, 2009 at River Glen Health Care Center. He was the husband of Leila (Partridge) Stone. Mr. Stone was born June 14, 1921 in Waterbury a son of the late Harry Harvey and Anna Teresa "Tess" (Fleming) Stone. He was the President and owner of H. H. Stone & Sons hardware store in Southbury, a family business that has served the community for four generations. Some of his many accomplishments included continuing family traditions, like hauling milk for over 92 years, selling Blue Seal products for over 60 years, living and working where his fore fathers had. He was a founding member of the Southbury Volunteer Fire Department, having served as a Fireman, past Fire Chief, past Town Fire Marshall, and past President of the Connecticut Fire Marshall's Association. In 1992 he received the Life Saving Award after rescuing a Heritage Village woman from inside her burning home.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Church and the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Southbury Lions' Club, having served as their Past President, and having been awarded as a Melvin Jones Fellow. He was instrumental in founding the Southbury Volunteer Ambulance Association by purchasing its first ambulance. He was a founding member of the Southbury Business Association, and had received various awards from the Southbury Historical Society for his many contributions towards preserving the integrity and beauty of his home town. In 2001 he was the recipient of the Secretary of the State's Public Service Award.
Besides his loving wife of over 63 years, he is survived by a son George H. Stone Jr. and his wife Carol of Southbury, a daughter Linda Harvey and her husband Richard of Manchester, Massachusetts, 5 grandchildren, Mark Stone and his wife Lissa of Bethlehem, Doreen Morgan and her husband Bret of Sherwood, Oregon, Heath Stone of Stratham, New Hampshire, Justin Harvey and his wife ArriAnna of Beverly, Massachusetts, Jared Harvey of Beverly, Massachusetts, and five great grandchildren, Hayden and Ava Morgan, Andrew and Evelyn Stone, and Austin Harvey.
The Southbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere, 235 Main Street North is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Southbury Land Trust POB 600 or to the Southbury Volunteer Fire Department POB 911 Southbury CT 06488.

Cemetery: Cemetery Not Applicable

Location: Munson-Lovetere Southbury

Funeral: Sacred Heart Church

Services: A funeral mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church, 910 Main Street South on Wednesday March 4, 2009 at 11 am.

Visitation: Calling hours and burial services will be held privately.