Obituary of William A DeStefano

William DeStefano, age 75, of Woodland Park, passed away on June 26, 2011. He was born in Paterson, NJ to the late John and Eleanor DeStefano. He served in the United States Army from 1955-1957. He was a police officer in Riverdale, NJ for 30 years and retired as a Detective/Caption in 1998. He was a member of the NJ State PBA, Riverdale PBA , NJ Special Police Association, NJ Police Honor Legion, Italian American Police Association, Morris County 200 Club, American Legion Post # 238, Passaic County Retired Police and Firemans' Assocaition, Passaic County Police Chief Association, NJ Law Enforcement Police Officer Brotherhood and many other organizations. In 1978 he received the NJ State PBA Gold Valor Award for his actions in the arrest of 3 masked and armed men during a robbery in Riverdale. He received many awards for valor and for excellence in police work during his 30 years on the force. He also served as a councilman and school board trustee for the Borough of West Paterson. He was the beloved husband of Catherine M. DeStefano (nee Bochicchio). He is also survived by his son William DeStefano, his wife Debbie, and her children Samantha and Christopher and by his son Daniel DeStefano. He was the dear brother to John DeStefano and his wife Cesy and Ronald DeStefano and his wife Maria. He is also survived by his cousin Tomasina, many nieces and nephews, several brothers and sisters in law, and numerous friends, especially Joe and Carol Lambert. Visitation will be held Thursday from 2-4 & 6-9pm at Santangelo funeral Home, 635 McBride Ave., Woodland Park, NJ. A funeral service will be offered on Friday at 9:00am at Santangelo Funeral Home. Cremation will be private by the request of the family. Memorial donations may be made to: American Legion Post # 238 410 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Woodland Park 07424.