Former Martensville Mayor Jim Stone passed away peacefully on February 24 at the age of 84.
A resident of Martensville since 1978, Reverend James Harold Stone served on Martensville Town Council from 1982 to 1994. He was elected Mayor in 1994, a position he held until 2003. During those 21 years on council, Stone helped guide the community through steady, planned growth.
Former Martensville Town Administrator Phil Ratzlaff recalled that Stone “was extremely ethical and above board; he put in a lot of extra effort and was very committed to the job. He was always wanting to do the right thing.”
Stone had a very dry sense of humour, said Ratzlaff.
“Jim could deliver a very low-key, monotone speech and then wrap it up with a zinger right at the end that would set the whole house laughing,” he said.
Ratzlaff said during Stone’s tenure as Mayor there were major improvements in Martensville’s infrastructure, including the rebuilding and paving of all the streets in the community.
“A lot of the water and sewer infrastructure and drainage was done then,” he said.
Martensville Planning Manager Bonnie Gorelitza said Stone’s “quiet yet confident ways certainly paved the way for what Martensville is today.”
Stone was instrumental in helping redevelop a former school, in 2002, into the Martensville Civic Centre, which now houses the city’s library.
Stone Terrace, a residential street in Martensville’ south end, was named in his honour.
Stone is also noted for his induction into Canada’s 80+ Hockey Hall of Fame in November, 2018.
Stone was well-respected by residents, his fellow town councillors, and town staff. He always had a friendly word for everyone and worked to make his community a better place.
Jim Stone is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carolyn; as well as his two sons Jeff and Greg (Ainsley), grandson Tyler and sisters Karen (Bill) and Susan (Terry).
A memorial service for Stone is slated for Friday March 3 at College Park Covenant Church at 909 Acadia Drive at 1:00. p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to College Park Covenant Church, World Vision, or Food for the Hungry.