Obituary of Michael H. DeStefano

Michael H. DeStefano, age 86, of Old Lyme passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, December 7, 2014 at his residence. Michael was the beloved husband of Shirley (Mascalo) Annunziata, the love of his life and best friend. He was born in Bronx, New York on November 18, 1928 the son of Biagio and Mildred (Magrini) DeStefano. Michael had been a resident of Old Lyme for the past thirteen years and was formerly of Old Saybrook. He was a proud veteran of the United States Army Air Corp serving during World War II. Michael owned and operated Bronxchester Service Center Inc., for over twenty-five years. A division of Exxon Enterprises comprised of three Exxon Service Stations located in Bronx and Spring Valley, New York. Prior to owning the service stations he was a Chief Engineer of air conditioning at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City. He was a communicant at Saint John's Church in Old Saybrook, the recipient of the Connecticut Wartime Service Medal, a former Veteran of The Year at the Westbrook Lodge of Elks and was a very active member of the Sound View Beach Association. Michael sang professionally in his 30's, was a fantastic dancer, and always was the life of the party. Besides his wife Shirley he leaves his daughters, Christine Zallo and her husband Silvio, of Syracuse, New York, Denise DeStefano-Dean and her husband Arthur Helbock, and his son, Michael DeStefano all of Warners, New York, his grandchildren, Zachariah, Mariana, and Silvio-Antonio Zallo, Daniel Michael DeStefano, and Francesca Joanna Dean, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 from 5:00PM to 8:00PM at the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street in Centerbrook. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, December 11th at 11:00AM at Saint John's Church, 161 Main Street in Old Saybrook. Burial with the Rendering of Full Military Honors will follow in the Cypress Cemetery in Old Saybrook. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Michael's name to the Saint John School, 42 Maynard Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 or the Old Saybrook Lions Club, P.O. Box 21, Old Saybrook, CT 06475. To share a memory of Michael or send a condolence to his family please visit www.rwwfh.com