February 24, 1947 – May 23, 2019
Richard Carmine DeStefano, 72, Sheridan, passed away Thursday morning, May 23, 2019 at Riverview Health in Noblesville. Born February 24, 1947 in Queens, N.Y., he was the son of the late Anthony and Irene (Nelson) DeStefano.
Shortly after graduating from Port Jervis High School with the Class of 1966, Richard would serve his country as a soldier in the United States Army. After his service was complete he continued his education at Ivy Tech, earning degrees in Accounting and Written Communication.
During his younger years, Richard worked as a photographer for the Port Jervis newspaper. Being a working photographer, friends and family soon began asking him to take stills and videos of their weddings and other important life events. Richard enjoyed being able to help out in that way; however, his favorite photographs were the ones he took out in the natural world. He loved capturing the beautiful flowers, animals out in their natural state, and the awesome beauty of storms as they came rolling in. Richard’s artistic side didn’t stop with photography. He was a very talented painter, creating many floral and animal oil portraits throughout the years. Richard also enjoyed fishing and working in his garden. For the last 13 years of his career Richard worked in the electronics department at the Noblesville Walmart, eventually retiring to spend more time doing the things he truly loved.
A family man to the core, Richard was always the first one to offer help to anyone who was in need. He loved baking and enjoyed sharing the goodies he made with friends and family.
He is survived by loving wife, Peggy (Ezell) DeStefano. She and Richard were married on September 25, 1999. Also surviving are his two daughters, Shawn Amato (Rich) and Kelly DeStefano, both of Port Jervis, N.Y.; two stepsons, Danny Parker (April), Kempton, and David Parker of Florida; three grandchildren, Rori DeStefano, and twins Michael and Josephine Amato; many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; brothers, Anthony “Tony” DeStefano (Jeri), Long Island, N.Y., and Joseph “Joe” DeStefano of Indiana; many nieces and nephews, including Sue Childs (Bill) and Sally Lewis (Kenny). Richard is also survived by his “rescue children,” his dog Peanut and his cat Midnight.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Elizabeth, Dorothy, Helen and Joyce; his brother, Donald DeStefano; and by his “fuzzy little girl,” his dog Cindy.
A Celebration of Life is being planned privately by Richard’s family; it will take place at a later date.
To honor Richard, his family requests that memorial contributions be presented to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements
Service: Private
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com