Members of Juneau’s Borough Assembly learned last night of the unexpected passing of a recent colleague. Former Deputy Mayor David G. Stone was praised for his years of public service, and for his kindness and helpfulness.
Stone, who left the Assembly in October, was deputy commissioner of the state’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Stone was elected first in 2003, and assembly members said he served as a beacon for incoming members. He was termed-out after three consecutive terms on the Assembly from District 1.
“He was so good to me when I was going to run,” said Assemblymember Mary Becker, who learned of Stone’s passing during a charity board meeting. “It’s an extremely big shock, just a devastating thing,” Becker said.
She said Stone volunteered to teach her all about the city budget.
City Manager Kim Kiefer notified members of the Assembly last night and the Governor’s Office.
Assemblymember Jesse Kiehl said he was saddened by the news, saying Stone was, “Effective, nice... it’s a real loss.”
Mayor Merrill Sanford, who was at the hospital with Stone’s family, said Stone collapsed at home around 5 p.m. after saying he was not feeling well. Sanford said Stone was pronounced dead at the hospital.
His last Assembly meeting was Oct. 14. At that meeting he praised his fellow assembly members, and called City Clerk Laurie Sica, who oversaw that month’s municipal election, “the best city clerk in the state of Alaska.”
Loren Jones now fills the District 1 seat.
Stone in October of 2011 was promoted to deputy commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, a position he had previously held. Stone became Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell’s chief of staff. He left that position earlier in 2011 to return to the labor department in its assistant commissioner position, the No. 3 administrator in the department, before his promotion.
His state biography says he was raised in Juneau and received a bachelor of science in geology from the University of Alaska.
A historian who gave presentations on the history of mining, Stone co-authored the book “Hard Rock Gold,” which was about the vital mines that once fueled Juneau’s economy.
He is a past-president of the Alaska Miners Association and a trustee of the Alaska Miner’s Hall of Fame. Stone also served as president of AJT Mining Properties and vice president of Alaska Electric Light and Power Company, the biography says.
This developing story will be updated online tomorrow.
• Contact Managing Editor John R. Moses at 523-2265 or at john.moses@juneauempire.com.
Comments (27)
Add commentJuneau has lost a very
Juneau has lost a very wonderful person. My condolences to Dave's family.
Oh no!
David was a good man. Very civil, very responsive. An all-around nice guy. A real loss. He wasn't that old.
Must be very difficult for the family, who had absorbed the injury to a son in Afghanistan - a Navy Seal who lost a leg a little over a year ago.
We'll miss you David
David was a great guy, always outgoing and went above and beyond being helpful to anyone he met. I didn't see him often but he always made sure to say hello and take the time to talk. He'll be sorely missed. Our blessings go out to his family and friends with this sudden and unexpected loss, he'll be well remembered by many of us.
A gentleman in all things,
A gentleman in all things, David was a loving family man and dedicated public servant.
With his death there is sadness; from his life there is inspiration. Rest well, David.
Condolences
Sad news. David and I served together on the energy advisory committee to the assembly back in the 80s and early 90s, for several years. He was a pleasure to work with and an all around good guy. Condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
Jack Kreinheder
Thank you to Mr.Stone's
Thank you to Mr.Stone's family for sharing him with us. He did a lot and cared for his community. His passing has left a hole in our community.
RIP David Stone
Thanks for all of your work on our behalf. Condolences to Laurel and kids.
Heartbroken
Laurel and family. Stunned and saddened. You and David are like family and we are heartbroken. He was a loving friend and devoted to his family and our community. Laurel, we feel your loss and extend our love to you, the children,and grandkids that brought David such joy. He was such a special person and his friendship a gift to many. Hold on to your faith, and know loving support surrounds you and your family. Katie, Bill and Booker
Thank You Mr. Stone
Thank you Mr. Stone for your devotion to Juneau, S.E., and Alaska as a whole. To the Stone family, we mourn your loss. We did indeed lose a great man.
A Juneau Gentleman
So very sad to hear that David has died. A wonderful member of our community, David volunteered untold hours to make Juneau a better place to live, work and raise a family. My heart goes out to his family who has had to bear so much. Claire R.
So saddened...
David was truly one of the kindest, gentlest men I've even met..I am thankful that I had the pleasure to work with him and get to know him, this community has suffered a great loss..condolences to Laurel and family....
A sad day
A sad day indeed for family and community. I remember best David's ability to raise the bar and keep political debate civil, gentlemanly and honest. A true public servant lost.
David Stone.
A very inspiring young man and a friend. Condolences, Laurel. Many good people share your grief.
Rest in peace David
My heart goes out to Laurel and David's family. Juneau has lost a gentleman and extremely smart and funny and caring man. I was touched by David's kindness and his life with Laurel was one to be admired as there love was obvious to all. God hold this man close as he was so dear to many here on earth.
Farewell David
What a tragic loss for his family, all of us who considered him a dear friend, and for Juneau. Farewell, fair winds and following seas...
Sincere condolences to the
Sincere condolences to the family of David Stone.......
A Terrible Loss
He was a kind and giving person -- a great friend and coworker. It is a terrible loss to the community and the state. He will be missed.
Mr Stone Will Be Missed
David was a really good guy. He was a fiscal conservative that had the vision of seeing current and future value to the community of Juneau for supporting youth programs. I went to the assembly many times asking for support for youth programs and David was always a strong supporter of those programs.
Awful news
So sorry to hear we have lost such a good man, great public servant and part of our community. Thoughts and prayers to the Stone family.
David was truly a good man.
David was truly a good man. He was one of those rare public servants that worked for the greater good.
David, people like yourself can rest in peace knowing that you made the world a better place for others.
Thank you David.
“There is no greater calling than to serve your fellow men. There is no greater contribution than to help the weak. There is no greater satisfaction than to have done it well.”
Blessings to David's family...
I went to high school at JD High with David. He was one of the most well-liked people in school, and it is a testament to David's character and grace that the same may be said of him almost 40 years later. I, along with so many others will miss this beautiful man.
David
I've known David since we were in the Boy Scouts together. He was as considerate and polished as I am rough and plain spoken. What a coincidence that we both should be so interested in Juneau history. I'll always treasure my field copy of "Hard Rock Gold". I figured he had a good 25 years or so left to write his biography of Bart Thane. You'll always be one of the great ones, David.
Thoughts out to the family.
Thoughts out to the family. David was a great guy, went on a tour of his one time at the treadwell mine. RIP
David will be sorely missed.
Dear Laurel & Family,
Steve, myself & our family were so saddened to hear of David's sudden passing. It brought me to tears. I remember him in so many ways; the Power Co. when he first went to work. When he went on to become a "big man" with the mining companies. I worked with him at the Dept. of Labor & I remember the day he started I had to go over and harass him just to let him know I loved and welcomed him. I enjoyed seeing him through the years spent with you; become so happy and enjoying life. I truly don't know what to say to comfort you. Just know that he is still here and still loves you, as we all do. We are truly heartbroken and are here for you.
Steve, Linda & Family
David Stone
In a world where it is so hard to find decent, responsible and caring public servants, David was a monument. The Juneau community gained much from his presence and is, I am sure, grateful.
He was a good man.
Our Heartfelt Prayers to the Stone Family
Dave will be missed by the Department of Labor, Friends.
Our heartfelt prayers for his family.