In Memoriam — Philip Louis Stone
After a remarkable life, Philip Louis Stone died
peacefully surrounded by all his children and his best
friend four weeks shy of his 88th birthday. For the
last 3 years, Philip was a resident of St. John's on the
Lake in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In spite of wonderful
mechanical support, Philip's engine sputtered quietly to a halt on
September 24, 2015, just after sunrise. Philip was born October 21, 1927, at
11:40 a.m. in the original Columbia Hospital of Milwaukee. He was the
second son born to Marie Adler Stone and I. Stanley Stone, President of the
Boston Stores and the ranking amateur golfer of Wisconsin. Philip grew up
on the near north side of Milwaukee and enjoyed spending time with the
family chauffer, which led to a lifelong love of cars.
During childhood, he memorized the model and make of every car
produced worldwide between 1931 to 1947. Also in his childhood, he
excelled at small craft sailing races on Green Lake, WI. Philip and his older
brother, Stanley Jr., were the reigning champions of the Green Lake Scow
Races for a decade. Philip graduated from the Milwaukee Country Day
School with the class of 1945.
Following graduation, Philip enlisted in the United States Army before
continuing his formal education. After his honorable discharge, Philip
attended Yale University, graduating in 1950 with a degree in 18th Century
Romantic Poetry which proved to be pivotal in entertaining his future wife
and fueled his lifelong love of the English language and literature. Philip
then went on to Stanford Business School, graduating in 1952 with an MBA.
He then joined the management program of I. Magnin's in San Francisco,
building on his father's retailing roots, before moving to New York to work
on Wall Street as a financial advisor and stock broker.
Philip married his step-sister's best friend, Beatrice Andrea Giard, after
only five dates spanning six years. Their courtship began when Philip spied
his future bride sporting a newly invented bikini. They were wed on
January 7, 1956, by Bishop Emeritus Benjamin Ivins of Milwaukee in
Florida. Philip moved his family to Glenview, Illinois in 1958. For the next
twenty-six years, he worked as a financial advisor in Chicago for Betts
Borland and Stifel, Nicholaus & Co. He excelled as a yachtsman, a nautical
navigator, and a power squadron member. He taught his three daughters to
sail and the family spent many weekends sailing the Great Lakes.
Philip's passions also included aviation. After earning his private pilot's
license, he flew for his personal enjoyment and became a weekend aviation
instructor. His family recalls fondly many hours gallivanting around the
country visiting friends and family until he was grounded by a blood clot.
Philip was active in many charities, most notably St. Leonard's House in
Chicago, a half-way house helping recently released prisoners to transition
back into society. He took a personal interest in some of the St. Leonard's
residents, providing individual support for the rest of their lives. Philip also
served as both a member and a director of The Chipstone Foundation,
created by his father and stepmother for the study and preservation of
decorative arts and material culture.
Philip is survived by his wife, Andrea, a resident at St. John's on the Lake,
his step-sister, Deirdre Donnelly Kieckhefer and her family, his three
daughters, Alison Stone McNeil (James C.), Pamela Stone Becker (H.
Birkett), and Jennifer Stone Grimes (Peter J.), seven grandchildren, Aurora
Christine Marie Siguenza Stone, Xavier Birkett Becker (Cassie), Joss
Russell Becker, Zebediah Stone Becker, Soleil Miel Jchangdara Becker,
Peter Philip Grimes, and Petra Joy Grimes. In addition to his immediate
family, he is also lovingly remembered by his niece, Sarah M. Stone (Tom),
his two nephews, Stanley Stone III (Susan) and Michael C. Stone (Ann),
and three great nephews, Taylor John Stone, Teale Philip Stone, and
Andrew Michael Stone. Philip was predeceased by his brother, Stanley
Stone, Jr., and his favorite canine, Larkspur.
Philip will be remembered for his largesse and generosity of spirit. His
enthusiasm for lavish meals and great music will be missed. His greatest joy
was in the giving of his time, resources, and wisdom, always stressing to his
family the need to be kind and forgiving. He excelled at making others feel
comfortable and inspiring laughter.
Services will be held Saturday, December 5, 2015, at 4:00 PM at the chapel
at St. John's on the Lake, with a reception immediately following at the
Milwaukee Club. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the St. John's
Employee Fund to support the staff who so lovingly and diligently tended to
Philip during his final 3 years. His ashes will be interred in Decorah, Iowa,
where he will be waiting for his wife to join in their plot overlooking the
Mississippi River.