Stephen Arend Holthausen, 67, adored father, loyal brother, and humble humanitarian, died unexpectedly on June 3 in Westbrook at the age of 67. He was born on Nov. 27, 1944 in New Orleans, Louisiana, son of Ernest Arend Holthausen and the late Mary Elizabeth Prosser. A graduate of The Fay School in 1959, followed by Tabor Academy in 1963, Stephen spent one semester at the University of Colorado before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1965, where he was stationed in West Germany. Upon his return to the United States, he graduated from the Williams School of Banking in Williamstown, Massachusetts, before joining the Community Banking Company in New Haven.

During his long career in banking, Stephen worked tirelessly to help finance small businesses along the Connecticut shoreline through varied positions at Connecticut Bank & Trust, Old Saybrook Bank & Trust Company, First Federal Savings & Loan Association, and Omnibank. For the last 17 years, Stephen had worked for the Connecticut State Department of Economic Development in the tourism division, promoting Connecticut’s cultural and heritage attractions. In 2002, the Mystic Coast & Country Leisure Council awarded him the Golden Pineapple Award for Excellence in Tourism Service and Hospitality.

After moving to Guilford in 1960 from Northboro, Massachusetts, he married Diane Elizabeth Jillson in 1968. The couple raised their children in Westbrook before separating in 1992. Stephen remained an active member of the Westbrook community before moving to Centerbrook in 2007. 

Warm and generous, Stephen touched the lives of countless people. He was an avid photographer who enjoyed traveling, cooking, and volunteering with charitable organizations throughout the state. He loved making people laugh and spending time with friends and family.

Besides his father, he is survived by his two children, Christian Conley Holthausen and husband Simon Maurel of Paris, France, and Gretchen Ann Holthausen and husband Bradley Mettin of Guilford. He is also survived by two brothers, John Prosser Holthausen of Guilford and Thomas Woodward Holthausen of Westbrook; two nieces, Erica Anne Holthausen of Newburyport, Massachusetts, and Linsley Jean (Holthausen) Armstrong of Marysville, Ohio; and his longtime companion, Sandra Reid of Middletown. 

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, June 7, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St., Guilford.  A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 8, at 12 noon, at the Westbrook Congregational Church, 1166 Boston Post Rd., Westbrook.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Walter R. Prosser Fund and made payable to American Community School at Beirut, c/o The Development & Alumni Affairs Office, 3 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10017-2303.  To share a memory or leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit:  www.GuilfordFuneralHome.com.