Born July 2nd, 1921 in New York City, he was the son of the late Charles W. and Angela (Troy) Stephans. He was a 1939 graduate of Richmond Hill High School, Queens, New York.
He served as Aviation Radioman, 2nd Class for Special Weapons in United States Navy during World War II, where he was trained and stationed at the U.S Naval Torpedo Station in Newport, Rhode Island. He was also stationed at the Bomb Squadron, Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida, obtained Naval Air Gunner status in Jacksonville, Florida and U.S. Naval Air Station Bombing Squadron 152 where he received his Air Wings in Clinton, Oklahoma.
Charlie married Geraldine Hoffman in 1939 in New York City. Where they had 3 daughters: Diane (deceased), Suzanne & Nancy. Later he married Gladys Hartmann in 1968 in New York City and has a step daughter, Jill Hartmann.
He entered the New York City Fire Department on February 1, 1943 and after 24 years of service he retired at the rank of Lieutenant on September 1, 1967. During his tenure in the fire department Charlie became President on 4/5/1960 of the New York City Uniformed Fire Officers Association - Local 854. During his 7 years as President he negotiated many Legislative Programs and Benefits with Governor Nelson Rockefeller and Mayor John Lindsey that are still in place today.
After retiring from the New York City Fire Department, Charlie & Gladys moved to Marco Island permanently in 1968. He enjoyed traveling, dancing, flying, horse races, studying World War II history and above all, he cherished his entire family. Charlie never stayed away from firefighting. He helped create Marco’s first fire department of paid employees and was one of the island’s first fire commissioners.
Survivors include two daughters: Suzanne Logan and her husband, Charles, of Monmouth Hills, New Jersey and Nancy Donovan, of Manlius, New York and his step-daughter Jill Hartmann and her partner Bonnie Schwartz of Asheville, North Carolina; (19) grandchildren, Suzanne Frasca and her husband William McCann, Wendi Devlin and her husband Desmond Devlin, Rick Donovan and his wife Kathleen, Kathy Hall and her husband Keith, William Donovan and his partner Tim Stearns, Pam Murphy and her husband Brian, Joseph Cupp and his wife Amy, Danny Cupp, Charles Cupp and his wife Shane and Nancy Noseworthy and her husband john; (16) great-grandchildren, Heather Devlin, Ryan McCann, Lily McCann, Kristen Donovan, Katelyn Donovan, Kaley Donovan, Kamryn Donovan, Katie Hall, Kelsey Hall, Bryce Hall, Michael Duhame, Carey Duhame, Kaitlin Cupp, Kyle Cupp, Alli Cupp, Mallory Cupp; one sister, Therese Mosch of Naples, Florida and one brother James Stephans (deceased) and his wife Ruth Stephans of Indian Lake, New York; and several nieces and nephews.
On Marco Island Mr. Stephans remained active in his community and in business. He was Director of Sales for the Deltona Corporation in the early development of Marco Island. He and his wife Gladys owned and operated several restaurants including The Olde Post Inn located on the site of the original Marco Island Post Office and the Gator Grill.
For several years he and his wife ran a catering business, dealing primarily with customers and executives of the Deltona Corporation. Both he and his wife Gladys were active in the early days of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, the first activities of The Marco Players, and numerous other civic and charitable activities. He was truly a pioneer in the early days of Modern Marco Island.
The family will receive friends at Hodges-Josberger Funeral Home 577 Elkcam Circle Marco Island, Florida on Sunday January 6th, 2019 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. followed by the Funeral services from 2:00 to 3:00 with Father Duong Nguyen, officiating.
Burial will follow at Marco Island Cemetery with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, Contributions in Charlie’s memory can be made to either St Jude Children’s Research Hospital (A Not-for-Profit, section 501 (c)(3) corporation) located at 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 USA / [email protected] Phone: 800-805-5856 or to The Wounded Warrior Project (A Not-for-Profit, section 501 (c)(3) corporation) located at PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517 USA / wounded warriorproject.org Phone: 855-448-3997.
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