Harry DiStefano, 88, WWII vet, union leader

Harry DiStefano, 88, of Drexel Hill, a World War II bombardier and union leader, died of kidney failure Friday, June 10, at home.

Mr. DiStefano graduated from West Philadelphia Catholic High School in 1940 and then joined his father in the machinist shop at Philadelphia Transportation Co. (PTC), the forerunner of SEPTA.

During World War II, Mr. DiStefano served in the Army Air Force in Northern Italy. He used the Italian he learned from his immigrant parents to barter with the locals for fresh vegetables and eggs, said his son, Brian.

On his third mission aboard a B24 bomber, his plane was hit by enemy fire and forced to crash-land on a small island in Yugoslavia. He and the crew were rescued, and he went on to fly 27 more missions.

After his discharge, he returned to PTC and became involved in union activities. By the late 1940s, he was shop steward for Transport Workers Union Local 234. He was well known for successfully handling grievances and for helping his union's membership with business and personal matters. Whenever he was asked about a good deed, he would say, "It was something anyone would have done," his son said.

After retiring in 1984, Mr. DiStefano was a crossing guard, first at Aronimink Elementary School and then at Drexel Hill Middle School, until 1998.

A sports enthusiast, he was an Eagles season-ticket-holder in the 1950s and 1960s and watched the Eagles defeat the Green Bay Packers in 1960 at Franklin Field for the NFL championship. Later, he attended Eagles games with his son and grandson.

Mr. DiStefano played baseball into his 30s, and umpired youth baseball games in Delaware County in his 40s. In retirement, he scheduled his day around when the Phillies were playing, his son said.

He married Peggy Flaherty DiStefano in 1948. For years, she was in poor health, and he helped care for her until her death in 2010.

"He started out each day at dawn," his son said, "with the prayer of St. Francis, while feeding the awaiting birds on his front lawn."

In addition to his son, Mr. DiStefano is survived by daughters Peggy and Mary; a sister; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 16, at O'Leary Funeral Home, 640 E. Springfield Rd., Springfield, and from 10 a.m. followed by a Memorial Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Bernadette Roman Catholic Church, 1035 Turner Ave., Drexel Hill. Mr. DiStefano was a member of the church for 63 years.