Francis J. DiStefano

Francis J. DiStefano passed away on Monday, April 30, 2018. He was 79.

Frank was born in New Brunswick, NJ on November 7, 1938, and was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Constance (Saglimbeni) DiStefano. Frank moved to Delaware in 1954 and graduated from Salesianum High School. He worked in the transportation management field for 45 years and retired from UPS in 2005. 

Frank began coaching Little League baseball for Newark National in 1969 and has been involved with Little League for over 48 years as a coach, board member, and administrator. He was the Little League District Administrator for district #2 for many years. Frank also coached CYM football at Holy Angels for over 25 years. As a result of this dedication to coaching youth sports, hundreds of his players knew him best as Mr. D. 

Frank’s greatest love was his family. He is survived by his wife of 58 years Marie (Sabatino); son Joseph (Charlene), daughter Judith Tozzoli (Tom), son John (Jennifer), and daughter Janice. Frank is also survived by grandchildren Emily DiStefano, Nicholas DiStefano, Cara Tozzoli, John DiStefano Jr., and Gianna DiStefano. He is survived by “borrowed” grandchildren Abigail and Zachary Press. Frank is also survived by grand “pups” Frankie, Molly, and Ava.

Friends and family are invited to visit at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek on Sunday, May 6 from 2:00-5:00PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Elizabeth Church, Cedar and Clayton Streets, Wilmington on Monday, May 7 at 10:00AM. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to either the American Heart Association, 200 Continental Drive, Suite 101, Newark, DE 19713 or to Newark National Little League, PO Box 15031, Newark, DE 19711.                                 

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