In Memoriam: John Stefans, 80
Ran Corporate Communications for Chase Manhattan
John Joseph Stefans of Southold, NY, former head of corporate communications at Chase Manhattan Bank, died November 26, 2023, at the age of 80, following a stroke.
Born in Teaneck, NJ, Stefans grew up in Rutherford, NJ. He attended St. Benedict’s Preparatory School and Fordham University. He then served in the U.S. Army, from 1965 to 1968, stationed in South Korea. He attained the rank of Specialist Five and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious performance as Information Specialist and editor of the I Corps (Group) newspaper, The Bullseye, Information Office and Headquarters I Corps (Group).
In 1983, he married Karin (née Carlson) Stefans in South Orange, NJ, where they raised their five children. In 2000, they moved to Riverhead, and then eventually settled in Southold in 2017.
Stefans worked as senior vice president, head of corporate communications, for Chase Manhattan Bank. (Among his duties was writing speeches for David Rockefeller.) Prior to that he worked in corporate communications for Manufacturers Hanover Trust and Chemical Bank. He was also an editor for the Traveler Watchman and Riverhead News-Review. He was a board member for the Hallockville Museum Farm and Jamesport Meeting House.
John is survived by his wife, five children and four grandchildren, as well as two brothers.