Donald "Don" Jeffrey Stump

Donald “Don” Jeffery Stump, 79, of Stratford Connecticut passed away peacefully on July 31st, 2026 at Connecticut Hospice with Alison, his wife of 41 years, at his side.

Don was born in Detroit, Michigan. He attended East Lansing High School and graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Communications. Don worked for CBS in Detroit and Los Angeles as well as Vitt Media in San Francisco and Gumpertz Bentley Fried in Los Angeles. He left California for New York City and continued his media career at Telepictures and the Cabletelevision Advertising Bureau. He left that world behind to become a real estate developer and contractor in Litchfield and Fairfield counties. Don and Alison were married in Washington, DC in 1985 and moved to Southport where they lived for 32 years and raised their daughter, Evelyn.

Don was an avid sailor and spent many weekends sailing the Channel Islands off the coast of Santa Barbara in his Ranger 23. When he came East, Don purchased a Cape Dory 30 and his No Wake license plate led to a membership in Pequot Yacht Club and many sailing adventures. Don served on the board of the Sea Lodge in Southport. Vacations always included golf. He loved good food and wine. He was a gracious host, who shared his knowledge of wine and cooking skills with friends and family. Don fashioned wooden toys for family and friends. He loved music and played the guitar. He was a voracious reader. He found joy in story telling, meaningful conversation, and his decades-long friendships.

Don was a loving husband, devoted father and good friend. He leaves behind his wife, Alison Danzberger; his daughter, Evelyn (Maggie); his sisters, Linda (Jim) and Cathy (Kurt); his brother, Lee; as well as several nephews, nieces, and in-laws. He is preceded in death by his father, George David Stump; mother, Marion Elizabeth Cardoze; and brother, David George Stump.

A memorial service will be held on August 29th at 10:00 AM at Greenfield Hill Congregational Church, 1045 Old Academy Road, Fairfield, CT. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to any of the following organizations: American Civil Liberties Union, Nereid Ocean Conservation, or National Kidney Foundation.