Obituary for Louis J. DeStefano
Louis J. “Chi-Chi” DeStefano
September 22, 1928-September 14, 2018
Middletown, NY
Louis “Chi-Chi” DeStefano, a lifetime Middletown resident and legend, died at Sapphire Nursing Home in Goshen on Friday, September 14, 2018, eight days before his 90th birthday.
One of six children born to the late Carmen and Maria Assunta Roselli DeStefano, he was born on September 22, 1928 in Middletown. He graduated from MHS Class of 1947 and shortly after joined the U.S. Army. Chi-Chi proudly served his country during the Korean War and was a decorated veteran. During his time in the service, he was an accomplished amateur boxer who was ranked second in the army boxing circuit. In 1952, he married Teresa Bianchi in Middletown at St. Joseph’s Church.
Chi-Chi was a fixture in little Italy in Middletown and was a founding member of the “First Ward Social and Athletic Club”. He was a member of both the Middletown Elks Club BPOE #1097, the American Legion and St. Joseph’s Church. In 1981, he and his family founded “Chi-Chi’s” Restaurant in Middletown, the predecessor of today’s DeStefano’s Olde Erie Restaurant. Over the past 37 years, Chi-Chi has stationed himself at the end of the bar, and was deemed the official greeter of the restaurant. He was a hard-working, proud man who loved his family and friends.
In addition to his loving wife Teresa “Tessie” DeStefano at home; his four children, Carmen and his wife Lori of New Hampton, Louis J. DeStefano, Jr. and his wife Tina, Joseph M. and his wife Linda all of Middletown, and Maria Reisert and her husband Shawn of Mount Hope. He is also survived by a sister, Anne and his grandchildren, Amy, Michelle, Louis DeStefano III, Michael and his wife Marielle, Brian, Nicole Psarakis and her husband Michael, Alessandra Christie and her husband Jordan, Steven and Scott Reisert; one great-grandson, Elijah Christie and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, one son John in 1962 and his siblings, Anthony, Angelo, Teresa, and Carmen
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm on Sunday, September 16, 2018 at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc, 130 Highland Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 am on Monday, September 17, 2018 at St. Joseph’s Church, 149 Cottage Street, Middletown, NY 10940. Burial with military honors will follow in the family plot in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
Chi-Chi’s family would like to thank the staff, doctors, nurses and aide at Orange Regional Medical Center and Sapphire/Elant Nursing Home for the special care and attention he was given during his time there, especially Sabrina from Sapphire, for going above and beyond for Chi Chi.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in ChiChi’s name may be made to St. Joseph’s Church, 149 Cottage Street, Middletown, NY 10940.
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September 22, 1928-September 14, 2018
Middletown, NY
Louis “Chi-Chi” DeStefano, a lifetime Middletown resident and legend, died at Sapphire Nursing Home in Goshen on Friday, September 14, 2018, eight days before his 90th birthday.
One of six children born to the late Carmen and Maria Assunta Roselli DeStefano, he was born on September 22, 1928 in Middletown. He graduated from MHS Class of 1947 and shortly after joined the U.S. Army. Chi-Chi proudly served his country during the Korean War and was a decorated veteran. During his time in the service, he was an accomplished amateur boxer who was ranked second in the army boxing circuit. In 1952, he married Teresa Bianchi in Middletown at St. Joseph’s Church.
Chi-Chi was a fixture in little Italy in Middletown and was a founding member of the “First Ward Social and Athletic Club”. He was a member of both the Middletown Elks Club BPOE #1097, the American Legion and St. Joseph’s Church. In 1981, he and his family founded “Chi-Chi’s” Restaurant in Middletown, the predecessor of today’s DeStefano’s Olde Erie Restaurant. Over the past 37 years, Chi-Chi has stationed himself at the end of the bar, and was deemed the official greeter of the restaurant. He was a hard-working, proud man who loved his family and friends.
In addition to his loving wife Teresa “Tessie” DeStefano at home; his four children, Carmen and his wife Lori of New Hampton, Louis J. DeStefano, Jr. and his wife Tina, Joseph M. and his wife Linda all of Middletown, and Maria Reisert and her husband Shawn of Mount Hope. He is also survived by a sister, Anne and his grandchildren, Amy, Michelle, Louis DeStefano III, Michael and his wife Marielle, Brian, Nicole Psarakis and her husband Michael, Alessandra Christie and her husband Jordan, Steven and Scott Reisert; one great-grandson, Elijah Christie and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, one son John in 1962 and his siblings, Anthony, Angelo, Teresa, and Carmen
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm on Sunday, September 16, 2018 at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc, 130 Highland Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 am on Monday, September 17, 2018 at St. Joseph’s Church, 149 Cottage Street, Middletown, NY 10940. Burial with military honors will follow in the family plot in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
Chi-Chi’s family would like to thank the staff, doctors, nurses and aide at Orange Regional Medical Center and Sapphire/Elant Nursing Home for the special care and attention he was given during his time there, especially Sabrina from Sapphire, for going above and beyond for Chi Chi.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in ChiChi’s name may be made to St. Joseph’s Church, 149 Cottage Street, Middletown, NY 10940.
To plant a tree in memory of Louis J. DeStefano, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Sunday
16
Sep
2:00 PM
- 4:00 PM
Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home
130 Highland Ave.
Middletown, NY 10940
Visitation
Sunday
16
Sep
7:00 PM
- 9:00 PM
Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home
130 Highland Ave.
Middletown, NY 10940
Service
Monday
17
Sep
11:00 AM
- 12:00 PM
St. Joseph's Church
149 Cottage Street
Middletown, NY 10940
Memorial Contribution
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