Joseph DeFazio Obituary
Joseph Leonard DeFazio, 83 formerly of Batavia, NY passed away peacefully at home in Fort Mill, SC. He was born June 17, 1940 and died January 29, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents Leonard A DeFazio and Antoinette M (Castronova) DeFazio, his sister Roseanne (DeFazio) Kowalik, his brother Leonard S DeFazio, and his nephew Joseph Kowalik.
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years Barbara (Rodon) DeFazio, his 3 daughters Tina Maalouly and her fiancé Brian Bellavia of Pembroke, Massachusetts, Mellisa Nicholson and her husband Douglas Nicholson, D.O. of Fort Mill, SC, and Joanna Gould and her husband William Gould of Fort Mill, SC, and his 6 grandchildren Alexander Nicholson, Duncan Nicholson, Eliana Maalouly, Sophia Maalouly, Olivia Gould and Joseph Gould.
Joe volunteered for the US Army in 1959 and served in Germany for 3 years as a radio operator and Redstone Crewman. He was the owner of The Vac Shop on Ellicott Street in Batavia and a HAM radio operator, call sign W2DIG, and member of the GRAM Radio Club.
After retiring Joe volunteered as the organist for the Catholic Masses at the VA hospital and Premier Genesee Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation for decades, playing the piano and accordion. He was an avid collector of clocks and a talented painter.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St Philip Neri RC in Fort Mill, SC. February 15 at 2:30. He will be laid to rest at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Batavia, NY at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Crescent Hospice, 1030 Riverwalk Parkway #101, Rock Hill, SC 29730.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
