James Joseph Defrancesco

James DeFrancesco passed away on January 30, 2011 at the age of 88. Born to Anna and Otto DeFrancesco in Pittsburgh, PA on September 28, 1922, he was the second of six children. A kind and honorable man, James touched so many as he moved through life. After graduating from Westinghouse High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in December 1942. Of his 35 months in the Field Artillery Battalion 961, 23 months were served in the European Theatre of War. He was honorably discharged in November 1945. He then continued his education in Engineering. On February 9, 1946, he married the love of his life, Theresa Perla, and began a union that would survive 64 years until her passing on November 6, 2010. He became the very proud father of Richard (Donna), Thea, and John (Marcy OHara). Later he would be blessed with three granddaughters, Lisa, Kathryn, and Gabriella, and four great-grandchildren, Vincent, Jackson, Tyson and Karina. Family and faith were the center of his life. James worked in the grocery industry until 1956 when, having relocated to California, he began his career in Quality Control Inspection in the aerospace industry. In the workplace, his quiet composure led to his nickname, The Equalizer. In his free time over the years, James was active in the Boy Scouts of America, the Knights of Columbus, and the St. Vincent dePaul Society. He was the type of man who would always lend a hand when needed as he always knew how to fix it even without being asked. A man, a worker of few words but many accomplishments. In 1988, James and Theresa moved to the Seattle area to be nearer to their children and grandchildren. Many happy years followed and many memories were made that will live forever in the hearts of his family. Announcement: In lieu of flowers, donations to the Holy Rosary Church Building Fund in James name would be appreciated.