Thomas Stone , VRHS Class of 1967
Someone once told me that dementia was sometimes called, "The Long Goodbye" so this obituary is something I (Tom's daughter, Brooke) have been writing for some time. Now that it's time to publish though, I'm not sure that I'm capable of capturing his extraordinary life... but here goes. Thomas Daniel Stone was born to Howard Stone and Elizabeth Hanley on November 3, 1948, and he died, in his bed, at the V.A. Hospital in Albany, on Friday, February 7, 2025. He lived there for the last six years, in a place called "The Hero's Wing." That always filled me with such pride. I don't know much about his time in Vietnam. It was too painful for him to speak about, but he was awarded a Purple Heart for his service, and it had profound effects on his life. I'll always remember the candies, in his pockets, that he would pass out to the kids, at church. He was just fun like that. One of my girlfriends distinctly remembers a meal we had at Friendly's, where we were playing a game of "hangman." We just couldn't figure out the word he chose. It was "booger." We all laughed and laughed. He was also so adventurous. In his later years, he moved briefly to places I couldn't even find on a map; remote places in China, Ukraine and Brazil. He loved show jumping his horse, "Ulysses." My dad was a big softie. He had zero shame in letting tears flow down his face openly, whether they were sad tears or happy ones. He taught me that it was always optimal to share your feelings, instead of holding them inside. I know a lot of people who have never seen their father cry. He is survived by his three children, Brooke and Zack Stone and Nichole Leto; his sisters, Mona Avellino and Lisa Avellino Ross; and his grandchildren, Joviana, Finn, Lindy, Remi, Cecilia, Gianni and Gabriella; and by his care team at the VA, who became some of the closest family he had. The amount of gratefulness I have for them is truly immeasurable. The love, patience and care they gave him, in his final years, was such an honor to watch. I could never truly thank them enough. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Samuel Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany, to enrich the lives of its residents of the CLC, by providing them with a specialty catered meal. Contact Michele Ferrauilo.