Glen Ellyn citizen of the year award named after former fire chief

Consider how Stuart Stone gave back to Glen Ellyn, and you would be sure to note his volunteer work.

He was first a volunteer firefighter who became the village's longtime chief. He was president of the Glen Ellyn Rotary Club and chairman of the Glen Ellyn Salvation Army.

But for all his public roles - and there were more - Stone also quietly served from behind-the-scenes without taking credit. He mentored village leaders and helped those in financial need. He even stayed behind after community events to clean up the streets.

So it only made sense for the organizers of a community tradition to recognize Stone, who died last month after a long illness, with the Glen Ellyn Citizen of the Year award. The honor also will be named after Stone as a permanent reminder of his contributions to Glen Ellyn.

Village President Alex Demos announced the twofold, posthumous tribute for Stone Saturday morning during the community awards breakfast hosted by the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce and the village fair committee.

Demos said Stone taught him how to lead and "how to bring more people on board."

"Stuart landed in the limelight often," he said. "His accomplishments behind the limelight are equally impressive."

Stone becomes only the second person to receive the village's citizen of the year award twice. The other is Mike Formento, a former village president.

Stone's passion was the volunteer fire company that he joined at 21 years old. He became chief in April 1978 and stayed in the top post for 23 years.

During the holidays for at least for 40 years, he dressed up as Santa, flipped the switch on the downtown Christmas tree and welcomed kids into the fire station to hear their wish lists - "one of his greatest delights," friend Georgia Koch said.

Through the Salvation Army, Stone worked with the Glen Ellyn Jr. Women's Club to provide Christmas baskets to needy families and seniors.

His friends remember him as a generous man who lived by his father's mantra, to be "always mindful of others."

"Stuart took it to heart. He really did," said Koch, the former executive director of the chamber, where Stone was named a lifetime board director. "He was the kind of guy who would do things for you, and he would do things for other people, but you might not know he was the guy who was behind it."

Glen Ellyn awards

Here's a look at the other honorees named Saturday in Glen Ellyn's annual community awards program:

Distinguished Service Award: Zona "Bunny" Anderson and Iryl Tortorella

Glen Ellyn District 41 Educator of the Year: Michelle Spratt

Glenbard High School District 87 Educator of the Year: Rick Letmanski

Glen Ellyn District 89 Educator of the Year: Linda Perlini

Firefighter of the Year: Matt Andris

Library Volunteer of the Year: Laurie Gornik

Nonprofit of the Year: Career Vision

Park District Volunteer of the Year: Don St. Clair

Police Officer of the Year: Detectives Kyle Duffie and Jeremiah Schmidt

Restaurant of the Year: Main Street Pub

Retailer of the Year: Olive 'n Vinnie's

Senior Citizen of the Year: Joe Vanest

Senior Industry Business of the Year: Dog-n-Scrubs

Village Employee of the Year: Robert Minix

Youth of the Year: Melissa Loconte