Don W. Stone

Don W. Stone, a longtime resident and presence in Wickford, RI, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 28, 2026. He was 90 years old, and is survived by Carole, his wife of 45 years.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland to the Reverend William Owings Stone and Margaret Simpson, he was the third of four children. At age 11, his family moved to Barrington, RI where his father became rector of Saint John’s Episcopal Church. There, a parishioners gift of a Beetle Cat boat launched a life long love of sailing and racing. He was a Bay Champion in his Beetle Cat boat, Pout. His name is on many awards in the Barrington Yacht Club, Essex Yacht Club, CT, Saunderstown and Wickford Yacht Clubs.

Don attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He entered the nascent computer industry, selling large scale computers in a rapidly changing market. He frequently won Salesman of the Year awards.
In 1972, he moved his family to Saunderstown, RI, became a jogger and an avid Sunfish racer. He instilled his love of the water in all his children.

In 1976, Don moved to Wickford, RI, and left a visible mark on the village. He designed and built the complex of buildings at Updike Park, renovated the former Barber Hardware Building at 17 Brown Street, and improved his other properties in Wickford. Don and Carole built a life together centered on the water, the village and their family. He helped Carole open a small business and always encouraged her to pursue her love of painting (and was justifiably proud of her work).
Don and Carole were active members of Wickford Yacht Club, and Wednesday night racing became a fixture of Don’s summer. Carole and Don spent many summers cruising Narragansett Bay and adjacent waters in one of his beautifully refurbished yachts. Later in life, he became an avid golfer, loving the game and the companionship it brought.
He was a man of great heart and depth of good feeling.
He is survived by his three children, Daniel (Karen Seiler), Owings (David Manley), and Catharen Kann (Jim). He is also survived by two stepchildren, Donald Troppoli (Pam) and Steven Troppoli (Diane); ten grandchildren; and his younger brother, Greg (Brenda). He was predeceased by his older siblings, Tom Stone and Betty Root.

A Celebration of Don's Life will be held Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 11:00 AM in The Wickford Yacht Club, 165 Pleasant Street, Wickford, RI.    

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