Edmund J. DiStefano
1926 – 2016

WEST SPRINGFIELD – Edmund J. DiStefano passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. Born in 1926 in West Springfield, he was in his 90th year. A lifelong resident of West Springfield, Ed deeply cared about his Italian roots. He was a selfless man who was completely devoted to his family. Lovingly known at "Fast Eddie" he was a graduate of West Springfield High School. A World War II Naval Air Force Veteran, Ed was a retired teamster and sales representative of the Continental Baking Company of Springfield. He spent many hours volunteering with the West Springfield Chapter of UNICO, a national Italian service organization. Ed was given the "Man of the Year" award for his dedication in support of children with special needs. He was a founding member of the Tatham Memorial Club, initially dedicated to friends and neighbors of Tatham lost in World War II. He loved the outdoors, camping and fishing with family and friends. Ed's passing is preceded by his parents Guiseppe and Benedetta (Rocca) DiStefano, brothers Peter, Lucien, Albert, Raymond, and Philip DiStefano. He was the devoted husband of 65 years to Mildred (Angelides) DiStefano and father of Sandra Nachbauer and her husband Albert of Pittsfield and Dianne Brown and her husband David of West Springfield. He also leaves his sister Antoinette Blythe and grandchildren Tamara and Paul Collette, Matthew and Sarah Nachbauer, Sarah Nachbauer and Jonathon Eden, Nicholas and Kayla Brown; great grandchildren Payton and Addison Collette and several nieces and nephews of which he held dear. The funeral will be held at the West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home Tuesday at 9:00am with Liturgy in St. Thomas the Apostle Church at 10:00am followed by burial in the Massachusetts Veteran's Memorial Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held Monday from 4:00 – 7:00pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the West Springfield Chapter of UNICO, P.O. Box 1131, West Springfield, MA 01090.