NORFOLK — Stephen Jesson Getz passed away from multiple causes on Oct. 7 at Noble Horizons in Salisbury. He was 74, and lived in Norfolk with partner and husband of 46 years, Peter Coffeen. Stephen was born May 4, 1950, the son of the late Roger and Genevieve (Jesson) Getz. He spent his early life in Oklahoma and Kansas, graduating as a valedictorian in 1970 from Bacon College in Muskogee where his father was president, and a BA from Ottawa University in Kansas.
In Oklahoma he lived among native tribesmen and later traveled with his parents and younger sister to the Philippines and southeast Asia where his father served as an agricultural minister for the American Baptist Church World Service. His fathers work gave him a sense of compassion and service. Later, Steve would use his family contacts while traveling around the world on a single ticket from Pan Am. After college he took an administrative post at Chicago’s Roosevelt University. There he was known for his administrative skills and diplomacy.
His New York work history began with Joe Papp at the Public Theater, several talent agencies, a casting agent, Goldman Sachs which he left for a post in the business office at Little Red School and finally 25 years in financial administration at Columbia University.
As a Norfolk Resident he volunteered his services as treasurer of the Land Trust, the Norfolk Library, and as bookkeeper at the Historical Society. He worked the polls at every election and was an active member of the Lions Club.
Besides his husband, Peter, Stephen is survived by a younger sister Ellen, two brothers, Bob and Jack, and assorted nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Steven was predeceased by a brother, Will.
A memorial service was celebrated on Saturday Oct. 26, at the United Church ofChrist at 11:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Norfolk Lions Club Ambulance, PO Box 399, Norfolk CT. 06058.
