Thomas M. DeStefano

Thomas M. DeStefano

AGE: 96 • Leonia

Thomas M. DeStefano, DDS, 96, of Leonia, died Monday, August 13, 2012, at Sunrise At Wall Assisted Living, Wall. Born in College Point, NY and raised in Union City, NJ, Dr. DeStefano resided in Leonia since 1961. He graduated from Columbia University, Class of 1934, and the University of Pennsylvania, School of Dentistry in 1941. A veteran of WW II, he served as a Captain with the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theatre-Phillipines as a dentist with the 43rd Infantry. Dr. DeStefano maintained his dental practice in Union City for 48 years and retired in 1993. He was an active member of the Hudson County Dental Society for 48 years, was the editor of the Hudson County Dental Bulletin for 58 years, and served as the organization's President in 1965. He is known throughout the dental and environmental community for his 50 year fight against the fluoridation of the drinking water supply because of it's ill effects on the elderly and infirmed, and, in particular, the mass medication of the public. Dr. DeStefano also has the distinction of having opened the first automated laundry in Italy in the early 1960's. Dr. DeStefano was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion.

He was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Janet Tracy DeStefano, in 1993; and his son-in-law, Bernard H. Maas, who died in 2000. He is survived by his children, Thomas F. DeStefano, Bloomington, Indiana, Michael W. DeStefano and his wife Vicki, Charlotte, NC, Janet Tauro and her husband Joseph, Brick, and Anna Mae Maas, Cedar Grove. He is also survived by his sister, Estelle Troisi and her husband William, Toms River; his loving grandchildren, Bernie Maas, Joseph, Michael, Paul and Anthony DeStefano, and Joseph and Tracy Tauro; and great-grandchildren, Henry, Warren and Bruna Maas.

Friends are invited to call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17 at the O'Brien Funeral Home, 505 Burnt Tavern Road, Brick. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bay Head. Burial will be on Monday, Aug. 20 in Fairview Cemetery, Fairview. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Broad Ave. and Harrison St., Leonia, NJ 07605.