Obituary of Elias Stetz

Al Stetz, Distinguished US Navy Hero “Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth...” Cdr. Elias “Al” Joseph Stetz, USN Retired, of Locust Valley, 81, a naval aviator and war hero, died on July 19, 2014. His integrity, passion and commitment, have been an inspiration to all. Cdr. Stetz is survived by Nancy Burke Stetz, his wife of 51 years and his children and their spouses, Marion and Will Walsh of Cortlandt Manor, New York, and Susan and Eric Trout of Richmond, Virginia. His six beloved grandchildren knew him as “Big Dad,” and include: Dr. Katherine Mullen and her husband Dr. Dave Gorin, Anna Walsh, William Elias Walsh, Marshall Joseph Trout, Richard Walsh and Nancy Trout. He is survived by his siblings and spouses: Ed and Freda Stetz, Alice Kishanuk and Lori and Ron Tewalt. Cdr. Stetz’s 26 years of military service over the globe earned multiple awards, including the Joint Service Commendation Medal; Navy Commendation Medals; the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Lebanon) and 3 Vietnam Service Medals. In 1978, he received the Navy/Marine Corps Medal, the fourth highest award for life-saving. After retiring from the USN in 1979, Cdr. Stetz became an officer at National Westminster Bank in NY. He was a champion golfer and beloved member of the Creek Club in Locust Valley for 33 years. In 1998, he published In Search of Eagles: Guide to Golf courses on US military bases. He always valued education and also pursued a doctorate at the College or William and Mary. He was exceedingly big-hearted and proclaimed the family motto as “faith, courage and unity.” Tuesday July 22, 2014, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM at Dodge-Thomas Funeral Home Click for Map and Directions Tuesday July 22, 2014, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM at Dodge-Thomas Funeral Home Click for Map and Directions Wednesday July 23, 2014 at St. Patrick RC Church Click for Map and Directions