John J. Distefano

John Joseph DiStefano of Glen Cove, New York died January 28, 2022, at 98 years old. He was born and raised in Sea Cliff and attended St. Boniface School and Sea Cliff High School. John joined the Sea Cliff Fire Department at age 17 -the youngest, because firemen were needed as WWII enlisting depleted the numbers of firemen available. Recruiters went to the high school seeking volunteers. John was officially granted membership ten days after Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941) as he was now 18 years old. He was a member for 81 years with the Hook and Ladder Company as well as Motor Chief. John was a flight maintenance gunner with the United States Army Air Force during WWII. He and Frances Green of Sea Cliff married in 1944. John was a proprietor with his pre-deceased brother, Eugene DiStefano, of several local businesses serving the community for many years. He was head usher and a Eucharistic minister at St. Boniface Martyr Church of Sea Cliff and served on various Sea Cliff Village Boards. John was known for his sense of humor and Dad jokes which always made you feel better. He was pre-deceased by his second wife Ruth. His surviving children are Patti DiStefano, Kevin (Heath) DiStefano, Barbara (Lewis) Schwab; 5 granddaughters: Cara DiStefano, Jessica (Justin) Klein, Gina DiStefano, Samantha Schwab, and Melissa Schwab. Ruth’s children: Barbara DeSimone, Gail (Danny) Fidel, and Peter (Angie) Boehm; 3 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at a future date.