Fred DeBerardinis, 91, lifelong South Philadelphian

FRED DeBERARDINIS, a lifelong South Philadelphian and World War II Navy veteran, died Wednesday. He was 91.

Mr. DeBerardinis grew up near 13th and Morris Streets, and was a member of the second graduating class of Edward Bok Vocational High School in 1942.

During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy. Later, he worked for General Electric at the GE Philadelphia Service Shop for 40 years.

After marrying his wife of 66 years, Antoinette Caccavo DeBerardinis, he raised his family in South Philadelphia.

"He was very supportive of our education," his daughter, Gail DeBerardinis said. "He'd drive me to Temple University when I was taking night classes. He'd drive me and then pick me up so I didn't have to ride the subway at night."

Gail DeBerardinis, a longtime teacher at South Philadelphia High School, is now chair of the English for Speakers of Other Languages department there. She said her brother Robert retired as a music teacher from Childs Elementary School.

DeBerardinis said while her father supported his children, he doted on his four grandchildren.

"He went to every soccer game and rowing regatta that my children were in," Gail said. "He stood out in the rain and cold to watch all the kids play their sports. Sometimes he'd stand outside for four hours to watch a [rowing] race go by in five seconds."

Edward Moran, a grandson, said he had nothing but good memories of his grandfather.

"He was a great grandfather," Moran said. "In the summers when our parents were working, he'd take me and my cousins to the Jersey Shore, down to Cape May.

"He would take us golfing, to get ice cream, and anything else we wanted to do."

Mr. DeBerardinis was active in both his union and in Democratic city politics.

For years, he served as president of Local 120 IUE, AFL-CIO. And he was a Democratic committeeman in the 1st Division, 26th Ward. He was also a member of VFW Post 3614, American Legion Post 0425, and the USS Block Island Association.

In addition to his wife, Antoinette, daughter Gail and grandson Edward, Mr. DeBerardinis is survived by a son, Robert, and three other grandchildren.

He was predeceased by four brothers, William, Joseph, Albert and Arthur.

A viewing is at 8 a.m. Saturday at Stolfo Funeral Home, 2536 S. Broad St. The funeral will follow at 10 a.m. at Church of St. Richard of Chichester, 3010 S. 18th St. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, Bellmawr, N.J.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

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