Paul F. Starck, Former Mamaroneck Resident, Banker, Dies At 90

MAMARONECK, NY — Paul F. Starck, a former Mamaroneck resident and local businessman, died suddenly Dec. 1, 2017, seven days before his 91st birthday. He was the former chairman and president of Sound Federal Savings and Loan, serving the Westchester Community for many years.

Born in Massachusetts, Starck enlisted in the Coast Guard during WWII, serving as a radioman in the Bering Sea, enduring temperatures as low as 50 degrees below zero, and earning the Asiatic Pacific Medal. After the war, he rejoined his family in Mamaroneck, and eventually went to work as a teller at what was then called Mamaroneck Federal Savings and Loan.

During a career with the bank that exceeded 50 years, Starck rose through the ranks as teller, accountant, secretary, vice president, president and CEO, and finally as chairman of the board. He is remembered at the bank for his community spirit, and having a virtually spotless record in providing safe mortgages to local residents. During the savings and loan crisis in the 1980s when more than 1,000 local banks went out of business, Starck successfully steered the bank away from riskier investments and kept it on a sound financial footing. As the bank grew and added branches, he oversaw a name change to Sound Federal Savings and Loan as a reference not only to the bank’s location, but also to its financial stability. A retirement memorial from the bank lauds his wisdom and leadership throughout the years. In a 1991 article about the bank, the New York Times noted it was ranked as the strongest savings and loan in the nation.

Starck was deeply involved in local community affairs, as Rotarian president, as treasurer of the local American Red Cross and as a member of the Masonic Order. He was a constant fixture at the Harbor Island tennis courts, well remembered for a wicked slice that defeated opponents young and old. He was an avid and successful fisherman and lobsterman, often setting out early in the morning before opening the bank, and knew the best spots in the Sound to catch lobsters, blues and stripers.

Starck was married for 68 years to his wife Adelaide Palmer Starck. They have four children, two sons Kurt and David and two daughters Jean and Kim and four granddaughters. Paul is also survived by his brother Merritt Lin Bradt and his sister Nancy Nettles.

Starck will be remembered as a loving husband and father, a good friend in times of need and a community leader with a strong ethical code who helped many buy and keep their own homes. He is loved and missed by his family, but God called him home.

Photo credit: Submitted.