The Passing of A PNG Coffee Legend
And A True Friend
We here at Vournas are mourning the loss of one of our early green coffee traders and PNG sourcing maverick Steve Teisl. Most of you know Steve, who was affectionately called by his friends as “Stevo”, suffered a massive stroke almost 12 years ago. Stevo passed away this past October (10/22/24) of complications from that massive stroke.
My association with Stevo began when he was working for another large importer, and we were buying from him, what is now, his now famous Papua New Guinea Purosa. He dropped by my old office unannounced with a 5-pound sample some 24 years ago, and the rest is history as they say. Never in my right mind would I believe that with this first meeting our Vournas Coffee team would go on to buy and sell almost 200 containers of PNG Purosa to date.
When Stevo later needed a home to sell coffee, we hired him over several beers and a handshake. He was old school cool, with wavy hair and mutton chops and short beard. He looked the part of a coffee buyer roaming the bush of PNG. He became an amazing friend and brother to both Kat and I and the whole Vournas Family. Together with his extraordinary wife Susie we developed a friendship built on love and respect that stands the test of time.
Stevo’s pride and joy was and is the PNG Purosa coffees from the Eastern Highlands. He helped me navigate my first trip to PNG, the adventure of a lifetime over 18 years ago. His sourcing of PNG Purosa helped Vournas Coffee become the number one importer of FTO PNG coffees in the USA. I will always say to our roasters and coffee friends he really was an ambassador of PNG coffee and helped keep PNG coffee on the map and in the roaster’s lineup. Today several hundred roasters vie for this coffee, and it always sells out every year it’s that amazing.
In short, we lost an amazing person. He no doubt suffered greatly the last 12 years, but every time I saw him, he still had a smile and grin and that gleaming sparkle in his eyes. He is in a better place now and enjoying a fine bourbon, a cold Guiness and of course a hot cup of PNG Purosa.
Simply the world and all of us who were lucky to know Stevo were blessed. Love to his wife Susie and his daughters who stood by Stevo until the end. Vaya con Dios Stevo until we meet again.
Andrew Vournas
President & C.E.O.
