RANDALL B. STONE

BANGOR – Randall B. Stone, 58, died unexpectedly May 2, 2006. He was born March 19, 1948, in Cambridge, Mass., the son of Donald C. Stone and Patricia Faye (Ellis) Higgins. Randy graduated from Bangor High School and began his career at Webber Energy Fuels in 1973, as a retail fuel oil driver delivering heating oil to customers in the Bangor area. In 1975, he became a fuel transport driver delivering fuel oil, jet fuel and gasoline to locations across Maine. He assumed his first management position for the company in 1990, when he was named wholesale dispatcher and was responsible for moving millions of gallons of petroleum products throughout the state supervising dozens of drivers. In 1996, the company promoted him to a newly created post of transportation administrator requiring him to assume responsibility for the company’s entire fleet statewide. He held this position at the time of his death. Randy also found time to contribute to the trucking industry while performing duties at Webber. He played a pivotal role in the organization of the Maine Professional Drivers Competition with the Maine Motor Transport Association. He was involved in many transportation and trucking issues, including safety programs, logistics and driver appreciation programs. He competed in several driving rodeos. In 1987, Randy placed First Place at the State of Maine competition and went to Texas for the National Championship. Randy’s dedication, work ethic and wide base of knowledge were the key factors in his long career and advancement to an important management position at Webber Energy Fuels. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all of the drivers and employees that he worked with as well as all the customers and industry contacts that he spoke with daily. A thoughtful and pragmatic individual, Randy always carefully analyzed all aspects of a situation before taking action. He was an honest man whose word was reliable and he possessed a dry and nimble wit that was evident in his unique sense of humor. Randy grew up in the 1960’s and admired and owned cars of that era that are considered classics today. Although he had cruised Maine’s highways in some of the best, he was particularly proud of his 1964 Pontiac GTO, his 1968 Dodge Charger and another passion, his 1967 Norton P-11 motorcycle. Randy possessed an innate understanding of music theory and, for many years, enjoyed playing drums as a student and professionally. His steady beat guided a number of bands that played all over the state including, Wayne & Co., The Dalton Gang, and De`ja` Vu. Randy continued to take occasional drumming jobs until a year or so before his death. He enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening as a hobby and trying to reason with three active miniature daschunds, Scoobie Doo, Abby and Lucy. Driving was a lifelong passion for Randy who began as a young boy, maneuvering creaky old hay trucks through fields and pastures for a Bangor dairy farmer in the early 1960’s. He continued to drive professionally, supervise other drivers and loved to travel in his spare time. He was particularly fond of forays to the West Coast, which he was accompanied by his children and was contemplating vacation at the time of his death. He is survived by his mother, Patricia F. Higgins of Corea; his partner and companion, Alayne Redmond and her two children, Jill and Zachary, all of Bangor; his daughter, Karen P. Halloran and her husband, Alfred and their daughter, Alicia, all of Hudson; and his son, Adam B. Stone of Bangor. He is also survived by his former wife, Linda A. Stone of Bangor and members of her family; and a brother, A. Jay Higgins and his wife, Diane, of Manchester and their four children, Eric G. Heath of Bridgton, Jeffrey J. Heath of Spanaway, Wash., Holly J. Shields of Bar Harbor, and Amanda J. Higgins of Chicago, Ill. Randy was predeceased by his father, Donald C. Stone; and stepfather, Kenneth R. Higgins. Friends are invited to visit with the family 5-8 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, where funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Sunday, May 7, with the Rev. Dr. Rex Garrett, director of Chaplaincy Services of EMMC, officiating. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the Brookings-Smith Family Center, 163 Center St., Bangor, following the service. Those who wish to remember Randy in a special way may make gifts to the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Resident Council, care of Brewer Rehabilitation and Living Center, Attnention Gail Sinclair, 74 Parkway South, Brewer, ME 04412. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.BrookingsSmith.com.