Joseph De Fazio

Attorney and NYC Parks executive, beloved family man

Joseph DeFazio Esq., devoted father, grandfather, husband, brother, and friend to many, passed away Monday, March 8, 2021, while tending to his cucuzza garden at his daughter's home in Vero Beach, FL.

Born in Staten Island, NY, and raised in West Haverstraw until the age of 12, Joe returned to live in Tompkinsville in his early teens. He was a prizefighter in his youth and honorably served as a Private First Class in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a graduate of Curtis High School, class of 1951, and received both a business degree and Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Fordham University.

Joe began his career with the New York City Parks Department in 1952, serving in various positions, including Director of Maintenance and Operations, until his retirement in 1987. He often regaled his family with stories about the city zoos, parks, pools, ice skating rinks, and the 1964 World's Fair. He was nominated to run for New York City Council but declined the honor to focus on raising his family. He managed his law practice for many years, retiring in 2008 at the age of 76.

Joseph was known for his outstanding garden, love of cooking for others, hunting, following the stock market, and telling great stories. As a child growing up with little means, his goal in life was to afford as much ice cream as he wanted. He spent many winter seasons in the Florida Keys before deciding to rotate between his children's homes to spend more time with them, traveling between Maine, North Carolina, New Jersey, and Florida. He was a devoted Catholic and member of St. Teresa Church. He was known for his encouraging words, building people up, and always seeing the best in them.

The love story of his marriage to Bernadette, his wife of 48 years, began on vacation in Mexico. He lived in SI and she in Chicago. Joseph would save his dimes throughout the week to call her on Friday nights, and they corresponded by mail. They met in person three times before he married her.

Their marriage produced four children: Daniel DeFazio, Amy Peters, Laura Snider, and Carol DeFazio. He felt truly blessed to be the father-in-law of Michele, Bill, and Ted. His pride and joy were his six grandchildren: Elizabeth, Christa, Joseph, Tommy, Brian, and Michael. He is survived by his sisters, Corinne and Donna, and preceded in death by his mother, Mary DeFazio (Piantadosi), father, Carmine, and by his brothers, Albert and Carmine.

Visitation with family will be held at Casey Funeral Home on Friday, March 19, from 4-8 p.m., with Funeral Mass on Saturday, March 20, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Teresa Catholic Church with interment joining his beloved wife at Resurrection Cemetery. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the St. Teresa Food Bank at 1632 Victory Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10314.

Casey Funeral Home

350 Slosson Ave.

Staten Island, N.Y. 10314

(718) 447-4242