Along with his late brother Ernie, Chris Trefz was a key figure in Bridgeport’s business community, heading the city-based Trefz Corp. He passed away at 88.
Obituary from Abriola:
Christian J. Trefz, age 88 of Westport, beloved husband of Eva W. Trefz, passed away with his wife by his side on Wednesday, January 29th. He was born in New Haven on June 8th, 1936. He was the son of the late Christian Trefz and Katherine Pfister, and he was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in Company C of the 709th MP Battalion in Germany between 1957 and 1959.
He served as the Executive Vice-President of Trefz Corporation, along with his late brother Ernest C. Trefz. They opened their first McDonald’s restaurant in Waterbury, CT in 1964. During his 60 years of operation, the business grew to operating over 50 stores across Connecticut and New York. Together with his brother he received numerous awards for outstanding restaurants and community service, including the prestigious Golden Arches Award which is earned by less that 1% of McDonald’s owner operators world-wide. His nephews Chris and Paul Trefz are continuing Chris and his brother Ernie legacy as heads of Trefz Corporation.
Aside from his passion for the McDonald’s business, Chris possessed many wonderful qualities – he was kind, incredibly compassionate, and generous. He felt tremendous need to give back. Chris was a big supporter of Norwalk Hospital, where he established the family endowed chair in Global Health. He also helped fund the operation of the Americares free health clinics Bridgeport and Norwalk, providing much needed healthcare for people without health insurance. Chris also loved the town of Westport where he lived for over 50 years. He was committed to supporting the Westport Library transformation project, and in 2023 he helped to reignite the operation of the Westport Country Playhouse.
Chris took pride in his home, and loved to be surrounded by beauty. He found great pleasure in his gardens which became more beautiful year by year. Whether at home in Westport or in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, he found peace sitting by the water. He enjoyed traveling the world, enjoyed boating, was an avid car collector. He was also a member of the New York Yacht Club and Mill River Country Club.
Most of all, Chris treasured spending time with family and friends. He loved entertaining and found every opportunity to organize family gatherings, including his birthday celebrations which would often bring the whole family together. It was very important for him to pass on his values of hard work, education, and respect for others to his children, and grandchildren.
In addition to his loving wife, Chris is survived by his son James Trefz, his daughter Tara Locke, his stepson Winston Janusz, three loving grandchildren Willian, Daniel, and Kathryn, and three step-grandchildren Jonah, Connor, and Sage. Additional survivors include his sisters-in-law Joan Trefz, and Margaret Bartlomowicz, his nephews Christian and Paul Trefz, his niece Linda Trefz, and his nephew Michal Bartlomowicz, and numerous members of his extended family. He is predeceased by his brother Ernest C. Trefz.
Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, February 5th, at 10am at Greens Farm Church, 71 Hillandale Road, Westport CT. Interment will follow at Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport CT.
Relatives and friends may greet the family on Tuesday from 4-7pm at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull CT.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut, 860 Howard Avenue, New Haven, CT 06519, Website link www.rmhc-ctma.org
To leave an online condolence please visit www.abriola.com
RIP. It was a pleasure to have served on the Council when your businesses locations needed the attention of their council representative.