Lawyer And Jazz Man In Glenn Miller's Band Dies In Short Hills At 94

MILLBURN, NJ — Stephen N. Maskaleris — a high profile attorney, World War II veteran, and musician who played with the Air Force Replacement Band after legendary trombonist Glenn Miller died — passed away in Short Hills on Dec. 9 in his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Maskaleris was 94 years old and the beloved husband of 67 years to Corinne Pappas Maskaleris. Born in 1927, he was the son of Greek immigrants — Nicholas and Kalliope Maskaleris.

While he was well-known for working on high-profile legal cases — including defending an accused Russian spy —Maskaleris was equally known for his musicianship.

Following the 1944 death of American trombonist Glenn Miller in an airplane crash in the English Channel, Maskaleris played bass and tuba in the United States Air Force Replacement Band of Washington D.C.

He continued to perform into his later years, often appearing in New York nightclubs accompanying his daughter Sue Maskaleris who is also a jazz musician. Most recently, he performed at the Millburn Free Public Library.

As a bassist, Maskaleris appeared alongside many famous bands throughout his life including The Clooney Sisters, Sammy Kaye, Bobby Bryne and Tommy Tucker.

Maskaleris was a graduate of Columbia High School in Maplewood, Seton Hall University and Rutgers Law School where he was the winner of the Law Week Award his senior year.

Throughout his 61 years of active law practice, “Maskaleris formed a multitude of innovative legal societies and services,” according to his obituary.

This included serving as a governing delegate of the New Jersey and American Bar Associations, founding the ABA Senior Law Division and Junior Law Division, as well as serving with distinction as a member of the ABA Death Penalty Representation Project for over 20 years.

He was committed to sparing his clients and all human beings from capital punishment, and none of clients ever received the death penalty.

Maskaleris was also a member of the New York Bar Association and in 1962 was instrumental in the formation of the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender.

One of the many high-profile cases that Maskaleris worked on was defending the accused Russian spy John William Butenko in a federal case brought by the Department of Justice.

Besides practicing law, Maskaleris taught Continuing Legal Education courses through the NJ State Bar Association.

According to the obituary, “his law firm, Maskaleris & Associates of Newark, Morristown and Florham Park, represented plaintiffs injured by medical malpractice, as well as product failure liability.”

Additionally, Maskaleris was an active member of his alumni class at Columbia High School in Maplewood.

He is survived by his wife Corinne, daughters Susan and Carol, her husband Frank Alston Ball and grandchildren Frank Alston Ball, Jr. and Madeline Corinne Ball. His younger brother Constantine Maskaleris predeceased him.

Those wishing to honor Maskaleris can make contributions to The Ila Foundation — a non-profit that supports his two passions: legal defense and appeals for the under-represented, as well as organizations devoted to musicianship and youth wellbeing.

His family will hold a private service for his life. Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home at 2122 Millburn Ave.

To read the full obituary, click here.

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