Stephen R. Tilton, Jr. ’67
Stephen R. Tilton, Jr., Upper Montclair, NJ, died March 20, 2025.
Born in Bronx, NY, Steve played varsity basketball in college for the Purple Knights, including on Coach Ed Markey’s team that made it to the NCAA DII Final Four.
Steve was known for his professional achievements and his unwavering dedication to his family and community. He was a prominent figure in the finance industry, serving as the chairman and CEO of Tilton Securities, LLC, where he expertly managed trading operations and portfolio positions in equity markets and U.S. government securities.
In addition to his leadership at Tilton Securities, Stephen held the title of chairman and CEO at Chaumont Holdings, Inc., and Fletcher Holdings, LLC, where he successfully invested in both residential and commercial real estate properties. His entrepreneurial spirit and strategic foresight contributed to the growth and success of these companies.
Steve’s career in finance began with Garvin Bantel Corp., which he grew into the largest federal funds broker in the U.S. From 1967 to 1975, he made significant strides in the industry, merging North American businesses with the largest Eurodollar and foreign exchange broker in London. His foresight led to the creation of Garban LLC and Garvin Guy Butler, where he pioneered the display of prices on electronic trading screens, revolutionizing the securities brokerage business.
By 1985, under his leadership, the merged entity became the world’s largest wholesale money and securities broker, bearing witness to his remarkable ability to lead and inspire. His leadership resulted in a workforce of 4,000 employees across 23 countries. Stephen’s vision was instrumental in acquiring Titus and Donnelly Securities, reinforcing his status in the municipal bond market.
He was also the former chairman of GovPx, an electronic provider of financial information to Reuters, Dow Jones, Bloomberg, and Telerate; and former chairman and executive director of Government Securities Clearing Corporation; former director of Lakeland Bancorp, former director of Statewide Savings Bank, and former Director of National Bank of Sussex County. He was chairman of the Schumacher Automotive Group, the largest seller of Chevrolets in the state of New Jersey.
In addition, Steve was on the Board of Directors of Pope John XXIII Regional High School Endowment Fund and Boston College Wall Street Council, Mountainside Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees, Newton Memorial Hospital Foundation, Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Jersey and the Archdiocese of Paterson, NJ. He was a member of Upper Montclair Country Club, Montclair Golf Club, Essex Fells Country Club, and Lake Mohawk Golf Club. He actively participated in community service and enjoyed mentoring professionals in his field.
After Saint Michael’s he also attended the New York Institute of Finance. He was a Medallion Club supporter of the College.
He is survived by his wife, Judith Ann (Schumacher) Tilton, two sons, a daughter, a brother, two sisters and extended family.
