David S. DeStefano of Burlington, MA has gone home, leaving behind a circle of those who loved him.
A life remembered begins, simply, with the telling.
There is no greater gift than the one a parent gives by simply being present.
David S. DeStefano, age 63, passed away peacefully at his home in Burlington on Wednesday, April 22nd with his loving family by his side. He was the devoted companion to Patricia (Patty) Mottla, with whom he had shared over 20 incredible years of life.
Born in Brighton, MA on December 5, 1962, he was one of five children to the late Lawrence and Doris A. (White) DeStefano. Dave's childhood was filled with fond memories of getting Friendly's Fribbles and having pillow fights with his siblings. He was never a student at heart, and spent a lot of his time working hard to effectively sneak out of school and homework. Following his high school education, Dave dove straight into following his life's passion-carpentry, specifically finish carpentry. He took great pride in his work, taking on any project, from crafting decks, to finishing basements, and even creating custom cabinets and entertainment centers. His creativity, precision, and dedication to his craft were evident in every project he completed.
Outside of his work, Dave found his greatest happiness in the simple joys of life. He loved spending time with Patty, especially riding his beloved Harley-Davidson motorcycle with her by his side, often seeking out open roads and new destinations. He also had a deep appreciation for music-especially Bruce Springsteen-and was an avid fan of the Boston Bruins and the New England Patriots. Saturday mornings were a special time in Dave's home, when he and the kids would gather together to watch one of his favorites: The Three Stooges. If he wasn't watching them though, he would probably be found watching the Rocky movies or The Godfather.
Dave was known for his quick wit and great sense of humor. A true wise guy, he had a way of keeping those around him laughing and keeping the mood light, a gift he held onto even in his final days.
Above all, Dave was a devoted and loving father and a proud grandfather. He cherished his children and grandchildren, never missing an opportunity to attend their soccer and softball games, and always supporting them and celebrating their accomplishments. His pride in them was immeasurable, and his presence in their lives was a constant source of love and strength. Dave will be remembered for his craftsmanship, his humor, his passions, and most of all, his unending devotion to his cherished family and many dear friends.
Along with his dear significant other, Patty, Dave is survived by his three loving children, Tyler DeStefano and his wife Christina of Orange, Nicole DeStefano and her partner Thomas Patient of Athol, and Brianna DeStefano and her fiancé Ben Morris of Athol; his grandchildren, Collin, Camden, Mya, and Noah; his dear siblings, Lawrence DeStefano, Jr. of Natick, Geraldine DeFeo and her late husband Donald of Medford, Stephen DeStefano and his wife Kiana of New Salem, and Susan Copithorne of East Falmouth; his cherished nieces and nephews, Matthew DeFeo, Andrew DeFeo, Justine (DeFeo) DeFederico, Molly (Copithorne) Melendez, and Amy (Copithorne) Long; his best friend, Wayne Copithorne; his former partner, Laurie Killay and her husband Shawn, as well as many other close family members and dear friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation on Monday,April 27th, from 3-6:30 pm at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington. His funeral service will be held in the funeral home at 6:30 pm.
As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations in Dave's honor may be made to Lahey Hospital Oncology https://www.lahey.org/giving.
Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of David S. DeStefano.
