Stephen Gelston

Stephen Gelston (September 15, 1939 - November 20, 2022) of Port Jefferson Station passed away peacefully in the presence of family at the age of 83 on November 20, 2022. Steve was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, friend, and neighbor. In a life well-lived, his kindness, humor, friendly demeanor, and affinity for all things Brooklyn – especially the Dodgers – will be remembered fondly by all who knew and loved him.

Steve was born in Brooklyn, New York, on September 15, 1939, to Hugh and Clare Gelston. His siblings include Clare (deceased), Richard, Dorothy Anne, and Hugh. For 60 years, he was a devoted husband to Majael “Mickey” Gelston, who passed away in 2019. Steve and Mickey met as teenagers in Saudi Arabia where their fathers both worked for ARAMCO. They married in 1959.

Steve is survived by his loving children Stephanie Gelston Billings and her husband David, Jacqueline Gelston, Kevin Gelston and his wife Betty Hillen, Denise Gelston and her husband Lawrence Kwei, and Kathleen Gelston Mess and her husband Brian. He also leaves behind 7 grandchildren (Thomas, David, and Victoria Kwei; Laura Hillen Keralla and Kate Gelston; Samuel Billings; and Natalie Mess), 1 great-grandchild (Dominick), and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as many other loving family members and friends.

Steve went to high school in Rome, Italy, and attended the University of Notre Dame in Indiana; he proudly graduated from C.W. Post College with a degree in accounting in 1964. His career in banking was spent at Security National of Hempstead, Chemical Bank of New York, and North Fork Bank of Mattituck. He also taught classes for many years at the American Institute of Banking. A devout Catholic, he was an early supporter and parishioner of St. Gerard Majella in Port Jefferson Station and had taught confraternity classes.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Gerard Majella Roman Catholic Church in Port Jefferson Station on December 19, 2022, at 10:00 AM. Following the Mass, burial will take place in St. Charles Resurrection Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Stephen's memory to the Alzheimer's Association.