- Welcome to Daley Life Celebration Studio, where we Celebrate the Color of Life.
Edward A. DeStefano
Edward A. DeStefano, loving husband, father, and grandfather, man of many talents and interests, and family man left this world in his home on June 7, 2020 with his wife and children at his side.
Ed was born on May 18, 1953 to Rocco and Betty DeStefano (Interrante) in Woodbury, New Jersey. He is survived by his wife Kathleen DeStefano (Quigley), his children Edward DeStefano Jr (Cait) and Lisa Roselli (Rich), his four grandchildren, Nicholas and Collin DeStefano and Emma and Katelin Roselli, his brothers Ellis and Rocky, and his best friend, brother-in-law, and adopted brother Bob Quigley.
If you asked a hundred people who Ed DeStefano was you would most likely get a hundred different answers. Rough on the outside and a giant softy on the inside; he wore many hats. To his wife of 47 years he was an attentive, caring, and loving companion, giving all of himself and asking for nothing in return. To his son he was a superhero, teaching and leading him to become the man he has become and instilling the love of family and hands on work that allows him to carry on his legacy. To his daughter he was her world, her hero, and the wind beneath her wings and until the day he died he kept the same adoration for her that he had the day she was born. To his grandchildren he was the greatest Pop-pop to ever live with an innate ability to read their minds and create anything that their imagination could think up, from toy airplanes and trains, to hope chests and play cottages, but more importantly he was always there to give hugs and love. To his family and friends he was a loyal wildcard that always left them waiting for, or cringing at, the next funny memory.
Living his entire life on his family’s farm in Woolwich Township, he developed the wide range of skills and knowledge that led him to be an incredibly talented carpenter, mechanic, and craftsman. There was nothing that you could think up that he could not create. Ed had many hobbies and careers over the years from painting cars and turning wrenches, to hauling freight, owning service stations, teaching, boating, drag racing, and restoring antiques. Nothing gave him a greater sense of satisfaction than using his skills in carpentry and finish work while running Destefano Enterprises. His business had many forms but none was more important than when he worked with his son and stepfather Charlie Ubaldi to establish the final chapter of his work life. Every day was filled with father and son bonding and laughs, a job that was the quintessential perfect workplace. As he was forced to retire due to health issues, he began to work on custom cabinetry and furniture projects for his family and returned to one of his greatest passions, restoring his Corvette in the years preceding his death. All though he was a Ford man through and through, he always had a special place in his heart for a Corvette.
Ed’s greatest joy was being a grandfather. That tough exterior would immediately melt away when his grandchildren were around. He carried on his superhero persona and amplified it to give all that he had to make them as happy as he could. He cherished the role of Pop-pop and from the day his first grandchild was born he wanted nothing more than to see them and love them. His loss leaves a giant hole in their world that can never be replaced.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make donations in Memory of Ed DeStefano to Give Kids the World, 210 S. Bass Road, Kissimme, FL 34746. (Please make sure to include your address so that Give Kids the World can acknowledge your donation.)
Come Celebrate 67 great years Friday 10 to noon at Daley Life Celebration Studio in Swedesboro. Followed by burial at Lake Park Cemetery, Woolwich Township.
10 Comments
I can’t imagine a world without you in it. My heart is broken.
My deepest condolences to all of you , although I never got to meet Ed it sure was my loss .
Thank you cousin, sending our love to you.
Eddie and family – I am so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. You will all be in my thoughts.
Thank you so much!
I can’t imagine my life without your physical presence in it. Almost 47 years of marriage filled with love and devotion to each other. You were the best Husband, Father, Father-in-Law and Pop Pop. that anyone could ask for. I saw that you were getting tired fighting your courageous battle, but wanted more time with you. I will cherish every memory that we made together over the years, and of course our beautiful Family. Your legacy will be with each of us and forever in our hearts and always kept alive. We will help each other as we promised you we would. As you told us “I will always be with all of you, just look around “. Our hearts are heavy and broken with a void that can never be filled again. You told us life has to gone on for us and it will, but it will never be the same. I picture you in your Mother’s arms, with a smile on your face and surrounded by so many other loved ones who have gone before us. I love you so much my Ed , always and forever, your “Kate”
Messages on our KRHS Class of 1971 facebook page
Jordan Schlump So long as we live, he too shall live, for they are a part of for he is apart of us and we will remember him.
Tina Garozzo Miskofsky RIP my friend. ❤️
Hope Ann Meiler-Hain RIP EDDIE, you will be missed❣️
Patricia Yulo Rest in peace Ed! Hugs and prayers for his family!
Terry Ballinger RIP Ed
Laura May Marker RIP Ed.. 🙏🙏🙏 for the family.😪
Clint Proffitt RIP Ed. Our deepest sympathy to your family. 💔
Angela Gattuso Lucas So sorry to read this. Prayers to the family at this sad time. It sounds like he was an awesome father, husband, grandfather and friend.
Janice Huggins So sorry for your loss
Marcia Kates Prayers for the family
Stella E Hill-williams Prayers for the family knew the family well God Bless
Ron Fullerton RIP Ed. Praying for the family!
Jude Paz Remembering a kind and gentle soul. Sounds like he had a great life and will be missed.
Jackie Morgan-Morrison So sorry to hear of Ed’s passing.. My prayers to the family
Rosie Mary Bellace Prayers to all…. soar with the angels <3
Ena Peacock Prayers for his family. RIP.
Robin D. Johnson Condolences and prayers for the family. 🙏🏾. Rest in Paradise Ed. Job well done. Life lived well. Amen.
John Aversa RIP ED
Vicki Dunn Prayers to the family.
Blanche Wean Sorry for your loss.
Thank you Jordan, and all of Ed’s classmates who shared their condolences. .
Kathy and family,
My deepest sympathy goes out to your entire family. I knew Ed for a very long time and it breaks my heart to read such sad news. He sold me a vehicle many years ago and Ed was always a true professional and a gentleman. His life is now lived through his kids and his grandchildren. May he now rest eternally with the angels until you all meet again.
Thank you Sam for your kind words, they are deeply appreciated.