Ernest C. Trefz, commercial property executive and philanthropist, dies at 84

Ernest C. Trefz, CEO of the Bridgeport-based property management company Trefz Corp. and the namesake of the University of Bridgeport”™s business school, died on Feb. 25 at the age of 84.

Born in New Haven in 1932, Trefz and his brother Christian were general managers at Bridgeport”™s Roessler Packing Co. in 1964 when they decided to go into business for themselves by opening a McDonald”™s franchise in Waterbury. Today, the Trefz Corp. operates 43 McDonald”™s franchises in Connecticut and New York, and the company received McDonald”™s 2009 Golden Arch Award for outstanding franchise management. Over the years, the Trefz Corp. expanded into other commercial real estate projects, including the ownership of Bridgeport”™s Holiday Inn Downtown and Imperial Parking Corp. and properties in Westport, Stratford and Milford.

Trefz was also a 30-year member of the University of Bridgeport”™s Board of Trustees. His philanthropic generosity to the university resulted in the 2014 dedication of the Ernest C. Trefz School of Business. Trefz”™s family foundation also supported several Fairfield County institutions including Bridgeport”™s St. Vincent Hospital and Barnum Museum and Norwalk”™s Stepping Stones Museum.