Residents and politicians agree that City Clerk Linda Stock will be missed. Stock died Saturday at age 67 after battling cancer.
“Linda will be greatly missed by me and all of us who called her friend,” said Paul Beckwith, chairman of the Republican Town Committee. “Her love for our great city and her service to it will never be forgotten. Milford has lost a great servant, but Heaven gained another beautiful angel.”
Stock ran for her third term as city clerk last year and won reelection.
A long-time city employee, having worked in the building department many years, Stock was very proud to serve as Milford’s city clerk.
During her last campaign, she pointed out that the office had been revamped so that it is a safer, more comfortable environment, and that many land records are now on line. During her time as city clerk, she worked to improve customer service and make the office more user friendly for residents.
“She was very dedicated to whatever she did,” said Richard Dowin, a fellow Republican. “Mostly she was passionate about Milford, and that’s probably what made her passionate about the things she did here.”
Dowin came into contact with Stock professionally when he worked in the Registrar of Voters office. He said, “She was incredible at what she did.”
Former Republican Town Committee Chairman Tom Jagodzinski said his life was better for knowing Stock.
“It's amazing how many people in Milford knew Linda, and I never met anyone who didn't like her,” Jagodzinski said. “She was a down-to-earth, fun person who treated everyone with kindness and respect. She loved Milford and served it proudly. My life was enriched by knowing her and her passing is a great loss for me personally and for our city.”
Linda Stock
Stock joined the City of Milford workforce in 1990 as a clerk in the Planning and Zoning office, moved on to secretary, then administrative assistant to the city planner, and finally became the zoning enforcement officer in 1997.
She decided to run for office and became the city clerk of Milford in 2009.
“She was known as being tough, but fair, and made an impact on many throughout her years of service to the city,” her family wrote in her obituary notice.
Stock was a past president of the Milford Oyster Festival Committee and dedicated much time and energy to the event over the years. She was a Connecticut Justice of the Peace, and performed many weddings and civil unions. She was also an active member of the Milford Republican Town Committee, and was a founding member of the Republican Women of Milford.
“Linda loved the beach from an early age,” her family wrote. “Her father, A. Leslie Smith, owned Smith's 17 Acre Park on the beach in Milford, where she was a competitive roller skater in her youth, winning many trophies and teaching others to skate.”
Services
Friends and family may call on Wednesday, May 28 from 2-8 p.m. at Cody-White Funeral Home, 107 Broad Street.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 29 at 11 a.m. at Wildermere Beach Congregational Church, 133 Broadway.
The family requests that visitors wear colorful clothing to help celebrate Stock's colorful life.
Burial will be private.