Gig Stephens Passes at 87
Leonard ‘Gig’ Stephens of North Reading, Mass., passed away on May 19 at age 87.
He made 12 USAC Champ Car/Gold Crown Series (IndyCar) starts from 1959 to 1972 at Langhorne, Milwaukee and Trenton. His best career finish was sixth in 1967 at Trenton in the #71 Atamian Ford for Karl Hall (Halibrand/Offy).
He raced in the Midgets from the 1940s to the 1960s. He won at Seekonk Speedway in 1949 in a UCOA sanctioned event and at Norwood Arena in 1951. He had six ARDC Midget wins from 1955 to 1960 at Hatfield, Wall, Trenton, Freeport, Danbury and Williams Grove. He won a NEMA Midget race at Catamount in 1965 in the Bahre Offy.
May 21, 2014-Leonard W. Stephens, 87
North Reading — Leonard W. “Gig” Stephens, 87, a lifelong resident of North Reading, died peacefully at his home on May 19, 2014. He was the son of the late Angelina (Borges) and Peter R. Stephens.
He was a 1941 graduate of the North Reading Public School System. He attained an MBA degree in national and international air cargo, rail, surface and waterway transportation from LaSalle University and Northwestern University.
Leonard was a U.S. Navy, World War II veteran, having served in the North Atlantic Theatre of Operations as a Gunners Mate aboard a “Liberty Ship.”
Gig was a 30-year airline executive, Massachusetts Registry official, and professional race car owner and driver. He was a former owner and founder of McDonalds Associates Detective Agency in Boston in 1960. He established the first “turbo-prop” scheduled all-cargo air service in New England, and appeared in Who’s Who in Aviation, 1973 Edition. He was Instrumental in Gov. Edward J. King’s election campaign, a life member of Boston Fireman’s Post No. 94, D.A.V Post No. 37 of Reading, USAC Charter Member (U.S. Auto Club), and an active member of several Republican committees in Washington that elected President George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004.
Gig’s love was in professional race car competition and antique car restoration. He completed his “Rookie Drivers Test” at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May of 1956. On July 26, 1959, he broke the world’s speed record for Midgets at Trenton New Jersey Speedway, starting in 33rd position.
Family members include his loving nieces, Marilyn “Peachie” Stephens Sakaleras of Bradenton, Fla., Paula Stephens Hammer of Lilburn, Ga., Shirley Stephens White of Bartlett, N.H., and Donna Stephens Lynch of Rochester, N.H.; a nephew, Thomas P. Stephens of Alton Bay, N.H.; and a very dear friend from Houston, Texas.
Memorial donations may be made in his name to Care Dimensions (Hospice), 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. croswellfuneralhome.com.
ARRANGEMENTS: His funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading, on Saturday, May 24, at 9:15 a.m., followed by a 10:30 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St., Route 62, North Reading. Calling hours will be held Friday, May 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.
Sources: EagleTribune.com