George Joestar I

During a business trip, George acquires the Stone Mask. On his journey home, a carriage wheel becomes stuck in the mud, leading to an accident in which his wife Mary dies. Dario happens to pass the scene. When George regains consciousness, he mistakes Dario for his rescuer, rewards him generously, and later adopts Dario's son Dio after Dario's death.

Dario is subsequently arrested for theft, exposing the fact that he stole George's possessions at the accident scene. Even after learning that Dario did not save his life, George still decides to help him and to adopt Dio. Dio excels at his studies and manners, and George begins comparing him with Jonathan, leaving Jonathan distressed for a time.

While Jonathan is at university, George is bedridden for an extended period. Dio has secretly replaced his regular medicine with poison, intending to make his death appear natural. After Jonathan exposes Dio, George arrives with the police and blocks his escape, leaving him cornered. Even then, George bears Dio no hatred, continues to regard him as his own son, and does not want to see him arrested. When Dio suddenly draws a knife to stab Jonathan, George steps between them and takes the fatal wound. Before dying, he asks Jonathan not to hate Dio.

The Stone Mask is more than a family curiosity: George keeps it on display as a reminder of Mary. The object preserved in their home later becomes the means by which Dio abandons his humanity.