Anthony Joseph DiFrancesco

Anthony Joseph DiFrancesco, passed away peacefully at his residence on October 23, 2025, in Springfield, PA, surrounded by the ones he loved – and who loved him right back.
Born in South Philadelphia, "Tony," as everyone called him, raised by his pre-deceased parents Dominic and Anna DiFrancesco, and his brother Edward, also deceased, started his long journey of nearly 96 years making many lifelong friends along the way. He met and soon married Marie Suppa, who pre-deceased him in 2017, and together they raised 3 children: Mary (Joseph), Laura and Joseph (Joanne).
Tony graduated from Southeast Catholic High School (now St. Newmann's) in 1948. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1951 and proudly served his country for 4 years on the USS Tanner as an electrician's mate and received the National Defense Service Medal. After his honorary discharge in 1955, he raised his family in South Philadelphia for 10 years before moving to Lester, Delaware County, where he remained until moving to Springfield in 2021. He was employed by the United States Postal Service in 1963 and continued there for 38 years, finally retiring in 2001.
He LOVED baseball and especially his beloved Phillies. He was in attendance at Veteran Stadium in 1980 when the Phillies won their first World Series. He enjoyed family barbeques where he consistently displayed an uncanny prowess at volleyball, horseshoes and bocce ball well into his 80's. A keen, but friendly poker and pinochle player, he knew more card games than anyone could possibly keep up with. He enjoyed eating out, but truth be told, could eat ziti 7 days a week without complaint. If he bought more tomatoes than he thought he needed, he'd drive an hour and a half to drop some off to you. Tony also fancied himself a wordsmith, always keeping a dictionary or thesaurus nearby, and never hesitating to call you 3 minutes before midnight on a workday to help him out with a stubborn crossword puzzle.
He saw 4 grandchildren grow to adulthood: Bonnie, Reese, Damian and Joey (Rio), but sadly missed the birth of his great grandson, Kaisei, by just days. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins who loved him dearly.
Tony was a devoted husband, an incredible father, a doting and patient grandfather and an unforgettable son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, neighbor or any other role he may have held in anyone's life.
We will forever miss him.
Friends and relatives are invited to attend his memorial visitation from 10-11 AM, Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Cavanagh Family Funeral Home, 301 Chester Pike, Norwood, where a prayer service will be held at 11 AM. Military honors will follow at the funeral home. Interment will be private.