Raymond H. DeStefanis

He was the beloved husband of Iris (Gentile) DeStefanis for 48 years. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Antonio and Mary DeStefanis. He was the devoted father of Lisa A. Vincent and her husband Robert, Diane M. Scimone-Mancone and her husband John, and Raymond A. DeStefanis (Councilman-North Providence) and his wife Susan; cherished grandfather of Ryan, Christopher and Matthew; and brother of Anthony and Robert DeStefanis, Rhonda Faella, Camille Tella and the late Augostino DeStefanis, Marietta Verrengia, Ilda Pensalfini and Tina Ciano.

He was raised in the north end section of Providence, where he attended public schools. Raymond was a graduate of Johnson & Wales University, class of 1958 and received a master’s degree in accounting and management.

Raymond was elected in 1972 as a RI State Representative from the 7th District of Providence where he served his constituents until 1976. He worked for many years in the business community within the liquor industry as a manager of a leading liquor distributor. After deciding not to return to the legislature, he was appointed in 1976 to the position of Administrator of Occupational Safety within the RI Department of Labor, a position he held until his appointment in 1991 as Associate Director of the RI Department of Labor until his retirement in 2002.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, 4-7 p.m. with his funeral on Thursday at 9 a.m. from PONTARELLI-MARINO Home, 971 Branch Avenue, Providence. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. in St. Agnes Church, 100 Chatham Street, Providence. Burial will follow in St. Ann Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept.142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908.