Obituary of James Patrick DeStefano

James Patrick DeStefano, 84, of Syracuse, NY died on November 16, 2022 after a brief illness. James was born in Syracuse on March 17, 1938 to Neil and Louise DeStefano. He was a quiet man of few words who met his complete opposite at a bowling alley in 1979. It was on that day when Donna Rushlow accepted a bet that she couldn’t get the quiet guy to take her to breakfast. She accepted the challenge and two years later in 1981, they were married. James was a man of honor and character who accepted her family as his own and together they created an impenetrable foundation for generations to come.

James is predeceased by his brother Frederick DeStefano and his granddaughter Kaitlyn Hart.  He is survived by his wife Donna DeStefano, his sister Marilyn Fehlman, his daughters Rory, Lisa, and Ryen, his grandchildren Valerie, Michael (Monique), Christopher (Alyssa), and Eric (Natasha), and his 10 great-grandchildren.

Jim worked for Carrier Corporation for over 40 years. He was a man of faith who loved the Yankees, Syracuse sports, watching MSNBC, going for rides with his wife and his dog Rocco, but most of all he loved his family. “A single person is missing for you, and the whole world in empty.” He will be missed beyond words by all who loved him. 

Calling hours will be held at Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Homes in Syracuse on Monday, November 21, 2022 from 4-6pm and a funeral mass will be held at St. Vincent De Paul Church in Syracuse on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at 10am. He will be laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery 800 Grant Boulevard, Syracuse, New York.

 
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you please consider making a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in his honor. To have a memorial tree planted in an area of need in honor of Jim, please use the Send Flowers link to the left. To light a memorial candle, or leave an online condolences for Jim's family, please visit his Tribute Wall.