Christian Trefz — a longtime resident and philanthropist whose generosity included the Westport Library, Westport Country Playhouse and the Westport Weston Family YMCA — died on Wednesday. He was 88.
His obituary says:
Christian was born in New Haven in 1936. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in Germany between 1957 and 1959.
He was executive vice president of Trefz Corporation, along with his late brother Ernest C. Trefz. They opened their first McDonald’s restaurant in Waterbury in 1964. During his 60 years of operation, the business grew to over 50 stores across Connecticut and New York.
The brothers received numerous awards for outstanding restaurants and community service, including the Golden Arches Award (earned by fewer than 1% of McDonald’s owner operators world-wide.
Christian Trefz
Chris was kind, 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 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 found great pleasure in his gardens. Whether at home in Westport or Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, he found peace sitting by the water.
He enjoyed traveling the world, boating, and was an avid car collector. He was a member of the New York Yacht Club and Mill River Country Club.
Chris loved entertaining, and found every opportunity to organize family gatherings. It was 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 wife, Chris is survived by his son James, daughter Tara Locke, and stepson Winston Janusz; grandchildren William (Emma), Daniel and Kathryn, and step-grandchildren Jonah, Connor and Sage.
Additional survivors include his sisters-in-law Joan Trefz, and Margaret Bartlomowicz, nephews Christian and Paul Trefz, niece Linda Trefz, and nephew Michal Bartlomowicz. He was predeceased by his brother Ernest.
Funeral services will take place on Wednesday (February 5, 10 a.m., Green’s Farms Church).
Relatives and friends may greet the family on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull.
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. To leave an online condolence, click here.
