Dr. Mark S. DeFrancesco

1949 - 2026

Dr. Mark S. DeFrancesco
August 26, 2026
Dr. Mark S. DeFrancesco, 76, of Cheshire, CT, passed away peacefully on August 26 with his family at his side. A man of joyful intellect and steady grace, Mark made it his life's work to quietly but powerfully advocate for family, friends, and colleagues alike.
He was born on December 16,1949 in New Haven, CT. He grew up in East Haven, where he was the kind of boy who took a paper route seriously. He started delivering papers in his neighborhood in elementary school and by 15 had been named National Paperboy of the Year, earning him a plane ticket to Washington, D.C. to accept his award. It was his first flight, and, as it turned out, not the last of his interest in aviation. He began working at Tweed New Haven Airport, took flying lessons, and earned his pilot's license one year later. He was justifiably proud that he was licensed to fly before graduating from high school!
Mark's education and early life shaped a lifelong trajectory of achievement. After attending St. Rose of Lima School in New Haven through the eighth grade, Mark attended and graduated from Notre Dame High School in West Haven in 1967, where he was valedictorian and later proudly inducted into its Knights of Honor. He graduated from Yale University in 1971, remaining a loyal Bulldogs fan for the rest of his life.
Following college, he worked in banking and then answered an early call to public service by becoming a State Representative for the 99th District from 1973-1975, the youngest state legislator in Connecticut history. After a brief tenure at Harvard Divinity School, Mark realized his heart lay in family and medicine rather than the priesthood, a decision for which his loved ones were eternally grateful! He matriculated at UConn Medical School, ultimately specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. He started practicing in Waterbury in 1984, continuously leading and expanding the practice until his retirement in 2020.
Mark combined a boundless work ethic with an entrepreneurial spirit. He earned an MBA from the University of New Haven in 1997. He co-founded Physicians for Women's Health, the nation's largest single-group women's health practice, as well as Women's Health Connecticut (WHC), in 1997. A national leader in his field, he served on the board of WHC from its founding until 2014. The pinnacle of his career was being elected President of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 2014. Later in his medical career, he lent his expertise to multiple boards.
Despite retiring from clinical practice, Mark never slowed down. He continued as a consultant for WHC and traveled throughout the US and globally for board service and meetings. Mark joined the Yale Football "Chain Crew," one of his absolute favorite roles, in his later years, where he operated the "Gilman" marker during home football games. In his honor, the crew has permanently renamed the marker "the Mark."
In 1980, during his OB-GYN training, Mark met his beloved wife, Helen, a labor and delivery nurse. They married on May 4, 1984, recently celebrating their 42nd wedding anniversary, and raised four wonderful children in Cheshire. Together, Mark and Helen explored the globe, visiting six of the seven continents and cultivating deep friendships in Chile, Taiwan, and beyond. Closer to home, Mark's favorite retreats were Cape Cod (where Mark spent every summer since 1986), and Disney World (which Mark, a proud Disney Vacation Club member, visited annually).
Mark was a mentor, a trusted problem solver, and an incredible friend who maintained lifelong bonds. He remained best friends with Tom Stellato, his companion since second grade. He regularly attended golf outings and lunches with former classmates and stayed closely connected with friends around the world through visits and travel. Deeply kind and endlessly optimistic, Mark touched countless lives; we are all better for having walked alongside him.
He was preceded in death by his father, James DeFrancesco. He is survived by his loving wife, Helen DeFrancesco; his mother, Josephine DeFrancesco; his children, Chris Keller (Mary), Erin Keller (Ned Gorski), Bethany Hatef (David), and Kaitlin Guthrie (Stuart); his grandchildren, Morgaynn Draper, William Keller, Madison Gorski, Matthew Keller, Emma Keller, Taylor Guthrie, Lily Hatef, Bodhi Hatef, and Molly Guthrie; his sister, Janice; his brother, James; and numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, and dear friends and colleagues.
The world is less bright without him, but we take comfort in the profound impact he left behind. The extraordinary light of his love and leadership will continue to guide all of us.
Calling hours will be Thursday, September 10 from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. at the Celentano Funeral Home, 424 Elm St., New Haven, CT. There will be a Funeral Mass Friday, September 11 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bridget of Sweden Church, 175 Main St., Cheshire, CT. Please meet at church. Private burial to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Tunnel to Towers Foundation (www.t2t.org); the Holy Cross Brothers, 495 Maple Ln., Valatie, NY 12184; or Sam the I Can Man Foundation (www.samtheicanman.org).