Sylvan Schefler, affectionately known as “Bear,” passed away on September 8, 2025, in New York City, surrounded by his beloved family.
Born in Belgium and a proud Jewish American, Mr. Schefler came to the United States during World War II.
Tragically, he died just one day after celebrating his 66th wedding anniversary, following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Sylvan Schefler Was a Passionate Sports Fan!
Mr. Schefler graduated from Cornell University, where he met his wife, Joan Kanstoren.
An investment banker in Manhattan, he built a successful career in finance at Drexel Burnham Lambert and continued working in the financial services industry.
He began his career in 1959 at Drexel Burnham Lambert, one of the most influential financial firms of its time.
By 1968, he had become a partner, and in 1971, he joined the firm’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
In 1983, he became part of Drexel’s High Yield group, where he played a key role in billions of dollars of financings and corporate transactions.
After Drexel, Schefler served as Chairman of his own firm, Maxima Group LLC, and later rejoined Burnham Securities as Managing Director of Investment Banking.
He eventually became Vice Chairman and Senior Managing Director at Tigress Financial Partners.
Beyond corporate leadership, Schefler served on the boards of numerous public and private companies. Additionally, he served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
Yet his greatest pride was his family. He was a devoted husband, father to three daughters, Dawn, Hope, and Nikki, and grandfather to ten grandchildren.
Additionally, he was a passionate sports fan, especially of the New York Giants and Rangers.
Also, being a proud member of the “Super Bowl Five,” he has attended every Super Bowl since its inception.
He often said sharing that tradition with his grandchildren was one of his life’s greatest honors.
His passing has deeply affected his family and the wider community.
Members of the “Super Bowl Five” have expressed deep sorrow at losing one of their own.
Harvey Rothenberg, a longtime friend and fellow Super Bowl attendee, said,
Sylvan was more than a football buddy, he was family. His absence leaves a hole in our tradition that can’t be filled.
The family has asked that donations be made in his memory to Park Avenue Synagogue or Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Pancreatic Cancer Research.
His funeral will be held on September 10 at Park Avenue Synagogue.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Sylvan Schefler’s family, friends, and well-wishers.
Rest in Peace!
