Obituary : Philip R. Stone
Word has reached the Vineyard of the death, on February 10, in Xai Xai, Mozambique, of Philip R. Stone. Mr. Stone, a native of South Africa, died of complications of malaria. At the time of his death, Mr. Stone was fishing in Mozambique.
Born in March of 1953 to Richard and Shirley Stone, Phil moved to the Vineyard from Mystic, Conn., in 1983. A skilled and careful craftsman, he was a carpenter, a sculptor, a water colorist, and cabinetmaker. Above all, he was an accomplished seaman and sailor, of the old-fashioned variety. He first left South Africa as a teenager aboard a racing yacht in the Cape of Good Hope to Rio race. He sailed as mate or crew for legendary racing sailors Bertie Reid and Malcolm Horsely on Stormvogel, and aboard Lord Jim on an around the world voyage. Other well known vessels on which he sailed include Tern IV, Pacifica, Gael Na Mara, and vessels familiar in Vineyard waters, such as Ayuthia, When and If, and Black Moses, which he sailed single-handedly to Florida.
Mr. Stone is survived by his mother, a brother, Laurence, a sister, Janet, two nephews, an aunt, uncle and cousins, and many loving friends all over the world. A memorial service will be held in Port Elizabeth, and his ashes will be spread upon Algoa Bay in South Africa. Vineyard friends are encouraged to walk down to Lucy Vincent Beach, in Phil's memory.
This obituary was prepared by Virginia Jones of West Tisbury.
