John J. DeFilipi Jr.
1947 – 2015
WEST SPRINGFIELD – John J. "JD" DeFilipi Jr., 68, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday November 1, 2015. Born on March 6, 1947, he was son to the late John and Gertrude (Mahoney) DeFilipi. John lived in West Springfield his entire life and was a graduate of West Springfield High School. He retired after 38 years from the former Western Mass Electric Company. John was also manager of the former West Springfield/Agawam Elks club for many years, and received a Citizen of the Year award for his charitable efforts. He was an avid New England sports fan, a great cook, and had a passion for music, especially the old standards. John also enjoyed taking trips to the beach and casino, but mostly loved just spending time all summer at "the pool" with his family. Besides his parents, John was predeceased by his father-in-law Max Niemiec, a sister Pamela McCarthy, and a niece Christine (McCarthy) Morassi. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 45 years Christine (Niemiec) DeFilipi; a son Eric and his wife Heather of Feeding Hills; a daughter Kara Phillips and her husband Brian of West Springfield; his mother-in-law Frances Niemiec; sisters-in-law Maxine Racicot and her husband William of West Springfield and Judy McGoff and her husband Larry of Florida; a special nephew Billy Racicot Jr. and his wife Julie of Agawam, and a loving niece Kimberly Bobecki and her husband Al of Agawam. John will also be remembered as a special Nonno to his four grandchildren whom he loved dearly; Emily and Matthew Phillips, and Shane and Lea DeFilipi. A private funeral will be held in St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Church with private burial at St. Thomas Cemetery. The West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home is handling all arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.