William Stefan

STEFAN William "Bill" A. Stefan, 75, of Westport, hus band of Janet (Rogers) Stefan passed away Thursday, October 13, 2011 peacefully at home in the company of his family. Bill was born in Lynn, MA. August 11, 1936 son of the late Christopher and Frances (Woods) Stefan. He has been a resident of Westport for the past fifty-four years. Bill was appointed a patrol officer with the Town of Westport Police Department on September 15, 1957, and progressed through the ranks until being appointed Chief of Police on March 6, 1974, the youngest chief of police ever to be appointed in the State of Connecticut, until retiring February 1, 1984. He graduated from Norwalk Community College with an Associates degree and also from the FBI Academy in 1974. Chief Stefan is a member of the Connecticut Chief's of Police Association and the New England Police Chief's Association; an avid outdoorsman, as well as an accomplished golfer and fisherman, holding membership in the Longshore Men's Golf Association and was a member and past president of the Westport Striped Bass Club. He also is a former Commissioner of the Parks and Recreation commission. Following retirement, Bill served as head of security for both Westport Bank and Trust and TD North. Survivors in addition to his wife of 28 years include two daughters, Lori Torrano and her husband Peter of Norwalk, CT. Helen Stefan Moreau and her husband Francois of Chevy Chase, MD; three sons, Christopher W. Stefan of Norwalk, CT. David W. Stefan of Arlington, VA. Benjamin A. Stefan of Westport, CT. two grandchildren, Victoria Moreau and William Moreau. In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by one brother, Charles Stefan. Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, October 18th at 11:00 AM meeting directly at Assumption Church, 98 Riverside Avenue, Westport, CT. The family will receive friends in the Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Rd. E. Westport, CT. on Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Stefan may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 372 Danbury Rd., Wilton, CT 06897 or Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County, 761 Main Avenue, Suite 114, Norwalk, CT 06851 Condolences for the family may be left on line at www.hardingfuneral.com