Peter Stefan, Humanitarian Worcester Mortician, Dies At Age 85

WORCESTER, MA — Peter Stefan, a mortician and owner of Graham, Putnam, and Mahoney Funeral Home in Worcester's Main South neighborhood, has died at age 85, according to his social media page.

Stefan was known across the region for providing burial services for the poor and veterans, and gained national attention for burying Boston Marathon bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev.

"It is with tremendous sadness that we mourn the passing of Peter Stefan. A man of principle and a staple of the Worcester business community, Peter was truly one-of-a-kind. He will be sorely missed by everyone whose lives he touched," Stefan's personal Facebook page said on Monday afternoon.

Stefan was also a pillar in Worcester, helping to found the Family Health Center along Queen Street. He was granted a key to the city in 2013.

"Peter A. Stefan, son to hardworking Greek and Albanian immigrant parents, is a first generation funeral director with over 40 years of experience in the funeral industry," the Graham, Putnam, and Mahoney says. "Mr. Stefan is also a very active member of the Worcester community, and has been involved with numerous local organizations, such as, the P.I.P. Shelter, Aids Project Worcester, the Nigerian American Organization, the Veteran's Shelter, and many more."

Stefan also had political aspirations, running a 2020 campaign as a write-in candidate for the Governor's Council, and a 2021 run for an at-large seat on the Worcester City Council. Both bids were ultimately unsuccessful.