Obituary of Gerald Stoner

“Gerry” Stoner, 84 years old, died suddenly on September 25, 2024. A lot of people near and far lost a generous and caring friend that day, as Gerry always reached out and warmly embraced everyone he met.

Gerry was raised in Connecticut, attended Middlebury College in Vermont, and served in the U.S. Army during the 1960s.  His love of books led to a lifelong long career centered around his books. He worked for many years at McGraw Hill Book Company and later he and his wife, Ellen Thorn, founded Generic Compositors and Stonecrest Industries in Gilboa, N.Y., to provide editing, design, and composition services for university presses like SUNY, University Press of New England, and University Press of Kentucky. He reissued older works, such as Mayham’s Anti-Rent War on Blenheim Hill; Gardner’s Folklore from the Schoharie Hills; The Ulster and Delaware Railroad 1907; Ned Buntline’s Rattlesnake and his Buffalo Bill; Township by Swantak and Post. He worked to create new titles of local history, such as the comprehensive history of Hobart by Jim Meagley, Davenport’s history by Mary Briggs, and the story of the Catskill Fossil Forest and the Gilboa fossils by Bill Stein, et al.

Gerry shared his love of local history with efforts on behalf of several area historical societies. As president of Gilboa Historical Society, he worked to transform Gilboa Museum to gain local and international admirers. He also served on the Middleburgh Historical Society board, the Stamford Historical Society board, and had memberships in other local societies, including Jefferson, Conesville, and Delaware County. 

Some of Gerry’s many construction projects included building a railroad station campsite with the family on the creek near their awesome shortest single-span covered bridge.

Gerry is survived by his wife, Ellen, daughter Robyn Stoner (Scott Myers), son Jim Stoner (Cindy), brother David Stoner (Elizabeth); and stepchildren John Thorn (Rita), Gregg Thorn, and Pamela Thorn (grandsons Paul and Eric), and his sister-in-law Andrea Spinelli.

A celebration of Gerry’s life will be held in the Spring. Arrangements will be handled by MacArthur Funeral Home in Stamford, N.Y.