Alfred Distefano

June 6, 1947 – June 9, 2016

Alfred Thomas Di Stefano, was born in Brooklyn, NY, June 7, 1947, to Alfred and Anna Di Stefano, second of three sons born to them.

In 1957 his Dad moved the family to California, to follow the sun and the Dodgers. Al grew up working in his father’s restaurant, Alfredo’s on 101st St. and Vermont Ave. in Los Angeles. He had a natural love for cooking and worked alongside his Dad until he was drafted in 1966. After serving stateside and in Viet Nam, as a cook for an engineering company, he came home in 1968. He married Daryl Horn in Feb. 1969 and they made a life together that would last 47 years.

Al went to Cosmetology School on the GI bill and became a men’s haircutter at the premier men’s shop, Shades of Gray near the forum in Inglewood, where he would cut the hair of many of the Lakers players.

In 1972 Al and Daryl had a son, Johnny, who became the passion and joy of their lives. It was during this time that Al realized his heart was in cooking and the restaurant business. He went to work at Orville & Wilbur’s Restaurant in Manhattan Beach and eventually became their Head Grill Chef. In 1977, he opened his own restaurant, Di Stefano’s in Westwood Village, which became a landmark in the area. For 27 years, he worked alongside his crew and loved bringing great Italian food to his customers. The restaurant was known for his homemade bread, soups and that the music he played was mainly Sinatra.

In 2003, he sold the restaurant and took some time off to decide what he wanted to do. That same year, son Johnny was married to Miranda, who fit into the family like a glove.

In 2005 he joined Costco in Hawthorne and eventually became their Master Coffee Roaster. He loved the people he worked with and brought to his job the wisdom and patience that only age and life experience can bring, along with his wonderful sense of humor that he so freely shared with everyone he knew.

Al was blessed by a wonderful family and many friends who loved him. He was truly a generous, loving and sweet person, who helped others whenever he could. He loved the Dodgers and thoroughbred racing and over his lifetime spent many a day at Hollywood Park, Santa Anita, and Del Mar with both his older brother John, his son Johnny and many times the whole family. His musical passion was Frank Sinatra and he shared his love of Frank with everyone. He will be deeply missed by so many.

Al is preceded in death by his mother, father and brothers. He is survived by his wife Daryl, son Johnny, daughter-in-law Miranda, grandson Vincent, nieces Dina, Aubry, sisters-in-law Beth and Nora, and his little puppy Sassy.

Arrangements under the direction of Gates, Kingsley & Gates Smith Salsbury Funeral Directors, Culver City, CA.