Joseph Charles DiFrancesco II

Sergeant First Class Joseph DiFrancesco, 61, an Army Intelligence analyst, died on October

the 15 th in Colorado Springs, CO. The cause was glioblastoma.

Joe spent 22 years in the Army, directing signals intelligence collection and analysis

missions and running intelligence fusion operations that supported joint task forces. He

led a platoon of over 30 soldiers, built training programs in cyber threat awareness and

intelligence systems. Joe also wrote reports and briefings that senior leaders relied on for

strategic decisions. His deployments included Iraq and Poland.

The qualities that served him in uniform were consistent with those that served him

throughout his life, including a strong work ethic, unwavering perseverance and leadership

through his nearly unflappable calm. Joe was humble, patient, kind, fun loving with a great

sense of humor. He was, quite simply, one of the very best humans.

Joseph Charles DiFrancesco II was born on August 27, 1965, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania to

Vincenzo DiFrancesco II and Jacqueline Graeter DiFrancesco. He came of age in a wooded

creek lined home in Malvern, PA. When Joe was 8 years old, his father remarried and

moved their blended family to a ranch in Hamilton, Montana. He grew up in a lively

household alongside 5 siblings, all close in age.

The stories that he and his siblings later told about growing up on the ranch were

remarkable, often hilarious. In later reflections, it became apparent that it was nearly

miraculous that any of the children survived their rural childhood adventures.

He did more than survive. He embraced everything rural Montana had to offer and became

an exquisite skier, exceptional golfer and an accomplished fly fisherman. To his younger

brother, he was a superhero, and all of his siblings had an exceptionally close relationship

with him.

During college he took a two-year break to join the Army where he served as a generator

mechanic in South Korea. He then returned and finished a bachelor’s degree in

Electronics and Electrical Engineering Technology from Montana State University in

Bozeman using the money he earned on active duty to finance his education. After

graduation, he worked in engineering technical support for Wavelength Technology in

Bozeman. He subsequently taught skiing at Bridger Bowl in Bozeman and in Breckenridge,

CO for a total of 14 years before rejoining the Army in January of 2007.

One of his favorite Army posts was in Monterey, CA where he completed an intensive

language program in French from the Defense Language Institute, Foreign Language

Center.

Joe was a masterful teacher and communicator, with a rare gift for explaining the subtle

connection between mind and body in sport. On annual family ski trips, he offered his

nieces quiet ski tips, was a source of sweet treats on the lifts and a consistent and playful

presence in their lives. He was an early riser, the family learning that some of the best

conversations happened over coffee, in whispers, well before sunrise-cups of Joe with Joe.

He loved living in both Montana and Colorado and enjoyed traveling to ski and visiting

family and friends. Exploring Poland and Germany during a year plus deployment was a

highlight, and he would take the train and his bike every weekend to explore the small

villages and cultural experiences that both countries offered. He was an avid reader,

particularly of history, and loved watching football, especially his Denver Broncos.

Joe is survived by a large extended family and many close friends. His immediate family

includes sister Jennifer DiFrancesco (Alan Ott); sister Cynthia DiFrancesco (Joe Nangle);

brother Paul DiFrancesco (children Maya, Michael, Michelle and Mikayla); brother Vince

DiFrancesco (Nikki Scandalios and their daughters Daphne and Penelope); and

stepmother Donna DiFrancesco.

He was predeceased by his father, Vincenzo DiFrancesco II; mother Jacqueline Graeter

DiFrancesco and two sisters Jeanette DiFrancesco and Stephanie DiFrancesco.

A full military honors funeral service will be held on Monday November 9th

, 11 am at Pikes

Peak National Cemetery in Colorado Springs, CO.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions in Joe DiFrancesco’s memory to the

American Cancer Society. Gifts can be made online at American Cancer Society/donate, by phone at 1-

800-227-2345, or by check mailed to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown,

MD 21741