Stephen Ely ’61

Steve died March 15, 2025, in Locust Valley, N.Y., his home for 50 years.

Born in Washington, D.C., he came to us from St. Albans School, of which he was a lifelong, committed alumnus. At Princeton, he majored in history, took his meals at Charter, and swam for four years, winning a varsity letter. He was admired by his swimming teammates as the hardest worker on the team, even if not the fastest swimmer. His senior-year roommates were Fred Hyer and Bob Stanger.

After service in the Marine Corps as a sergeant, he went to work for Kuhn, Loeb & Co. in New York City, becoming a partner in 1971. In 1983, he co-founded Haven Capital Management, where he spent the rest of his working life. He commuted from Locust Valley for more than 40 years and was an active member of the Locust Valley community. He was a two-time black belt in tae kwon do. Per his obituary, “He may be remembered as the slowest driver in Locust Valley, as anyone who was stuck behind him can attest.”

Predeceased by his first wife Susan in 1997, he is survived by his wife, Jennifer; four children; and six granddaughters.