Jerry Stone

Jerry Stone (94), of Palm Desert, CA, passed away peacefully on December 2, 2022. He was born in Boston, MA (as Jerome William Saphirstein) to Florence and Henry Saphirstein. He attended the Boston Latin School and the University of Massachusetts. Jerry spent his six-decade career in hotel management, starting in his teens in Massachusetts as a bellhop and room attendant, to Food and Beverage in Florida where he met many celebrities including three Vice Presidents and numerous entertainers including the Jackson 5 and Tina Turner, and then as a General Manager in Florida, Utah and Illinois, where he led major renovations at multiple Hilton Hotel properties. After retiring at the age of 75 as General Manager of the Lisle/Naperville Hilton in Illinois, he moved to Ft. Myers, FL and then to Palm Desert, CA to be near family. Jerry was always active. In his 40’s, he added a regular fitness routine – first cycling around his neighborhoods in Florida, then indoor swimming in Salt Lake City, and running while living in Naperville, IL. He was a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan, thoroughly enjoyed watching sports, was an avid reader, and played golf into his 90’s with friends. Jerry will be remembered for his quick wit, good sense of humor and affable personality. He is survived by his wife, Nadine Stone, his daughters Caren Osborne of Chapel Hill, NC and Nona Solowitz (Michael Cheley) of Rancho Mirage, CA, three grandchildren - Alison Moseley (Edward), Adam Solowitz (Jen), David Solowitz (Kate), and five great-grandchildren – Mia, Charlie, Oliver, Davin and Charlotte. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to JFS of the Desert at jfsdesert.org or Animal Samaritans at animalsamaritans.org or the organization of your choice. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.