Stoneham's Founding Mothers and Fathers

On Tuesday, we asked you: Who are Stoneham's founding fathers (and mothers)? 

Here is a look at our readers' recommendations for this week's "Patch Picks" list:

John Melkonian: One reader wrote, "John is a lifelong Stoneham resident who served in the Marines and developed Stoneham Ford into one of Stoneham's largest employers and charitable contributors. John and his first wife Alice (deceased) raised four boys to become some of Stoneham's finest citizens and one of its 'founding fathers.'"

Patricia Kilty: A reader stated several reasons why Kilty should be considered for our listing. "Patricia Kilty is the quintessential Founding Mother of Stoneham," wrote the reader. "She was an original member of the Stoneham Redevelopment Cooperation (SRDC), a nonprofit, volunteer organization comprised of Stoneham residents who cared deeply about their town and the desolate landscape that had become Stoneham Square and Main Street. 

"The SRDC ultimately became the original Stoneham Chamber of Commerce, of which Mrs. Kilty was its first Executive Director, a position she held until her retirement in 1999. Mrs. Kilty was also part of the creative team that developed the first Town Day and greatly contributed to its growth as a major event over the past 25 years.

"Mrs. Kilty has remained intimately involved in not only the town's political arena, but in recent years, she has devoted her time to the Stoneham Theatre, currently serving as the vice chairperson of the Board of Directors.

"Mrs. Kilty and her late husband, Robert, raised all four of their children in Stoneham, and through all their years in the public school system, were heartily engaged in volunteerism. Be it through bake sales for Pop Warner football games, volunteering in the libraries of the elementary schools their children attended, the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce or Town Day, Mrs. Patricia A. Kilty is the very definition of a founding mother of Stoneham," concluded the reader.