Craig Joseph DeFronzo

Craig J. DeFronzo, age 48 passed away very suddenly on Thursday, February 20, 2020

Craig was born on March 12, 1971 in Smithtown, New York to George and Eugenia DeFronzo. He graduated from Smithtown West High School in 1989 and attended SUNY Stony Brook/ SCCC/ Southhampton College where he earned degrees in Criminal Justice, Police Science, Psychology and Creative Writing. Shortly after graduating college, he went into the New York City Police Academy. Craig spent most of his career with the NYPD at PSA #5 as part of the Bike Unit and an undercover unit, Craig was also a 9/11 responder and spent many months in and Ground the Ground Zero area. After 10 years on the job, he retired with a line of duty injury and settled in Beverly Hills, Florida.

Craig was a devoted family man is survived by his beloved family; Keri (Wolfe) his wife of 24 years and his two children Hailey and Brenan. Craig is also survived by his parents, George and Eugenia (Kruk) DeFronzo, his sister Joanne (DeFronzo) Bowe, his aunt Paula DeFronzo and his closest friends who he considered his extended family, Michael Ponticelli, Lance and Christy Potter.

Craig was a lucky guy to have many friends both in New York and down in Florida and he will be missed by so many people. He was a very likeable guy and had a wit and humor that made people just want to be around him. His smile was infectious and he loved to make people laugh, always finding humor in most situations.

Craig was a man of many interests. His life long passion was bass fishing. His obsession was so great that he starting pouring and making his own baits and started an online business, Micro Munch Tackle. Craig has published many online books and articles on the subject of Bass Fishing and the skills and techniques of being a successful bass fisherman. He was featured in two episodes of Lunkerville shown on the cable channel WFN: World Fishing Network while still living on Long Island.

His other life long passion was hockey. As a young boy he played on several Deck Hockey leagues and after retiring to Florida started playing in an adult Ice Hockey league and became one of the highest scoring players in the league. He would’ve continued playing in that league but had to drive 1 ½ hours each way to the rink and it got to be too much. He then joined a Deck Hockey league closer to home and was playing with some guys 10 – 15 years his junior. He was one of the highest scoring players in that league considered one of the best in the league. Craig loved the sport of hockey and loved to promote the sport in any way he could, always willing to offer advice or tips to others he played to improve their game. His son Brenan took an interest in Deck Hockey joining Craig and playing in the league as well. Craig was also a diehard New York Rangers fan.

Craig also loved gardening, growing fruits and vegetables and he loved to cook. He was always experimenting in the kitchen to make something delicious for his family and friends to enjoy.

Craig was the kind of man who never did anything half way – he always gave 110% in everything that he did.

The family was told that Craig was the perfect candidate for organ donation and decided that he would want to help as many people as he could, and in doing so, Craig touched 51 lives with his gift of life.