Jeffrey P. "Jeff" DeFuria's Obituary
Jeffrey P. DeFuria, 75 years of age, passed away peacefully on March 22nd at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center with his family by his side. Our hearts are broken with the passing of such a beautiful father who was born on October 24th, 1940 in Syracuse, NY. Our dad, Jeff Sr., is the son of the late James H. and Florence (Brotherton) DeFuria, Jr. and was predeceased by his brother, James H. DeFuria III.
Jeff is survived by his four children: Dawn, Rae, Jennifer, and Jeffrey P. DeFuria, Jr.; his sister, Giannina DeFuria; his spouse, Suzanne Kondra-DeFuria and her children: Kimberly, Christopher and Nicholas; several cousins, nieces and nephew, and his beloved dog, Diesel.
Our father’s love and devotion to his family and his work brought him his greatest joys in life. Jeff owned and operated Dewitt Aero Manufacturing Corporation following the death of his father in 1975. He took ownership of uncle Ed‘s and uncle Lou’s business, East Syracuse Hardware, with his daughter Rae at the helm. Jeff eventually settled on his remaining lifelong work at J.P. Auto Service, which he shared and operated with his son, Jeffrey Jr.
At just 14 years old, our father began an unending, passionate journey in collecting antique cars. His collection of cars began with a 1931 Model A Ford and further bloomed into the addition of a 1918 Oakland touring car, a 1929 Buick Sedan, a 1929 Mack Dump truck, a 1950 Chevy, a 1958 Jaguar Sedan, a 1959 Thunderbird Coupe (a gift from an aunt and uncle), a 1954 MG two-seater (a 50th birthday gift from Dena), as well as a 1973 Convertible Mercedes and a 1977 Mercedes Sedan.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to all of the St. Joseph’s Intensive Care Unit’s medical professionals and caregivers for their exceptional care and compassion that both we and our father received during his stay.
Funeral services will be held at 8:00 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, followed by a funeral mass in celebration of Jeff’s life at 9:00 am at Blessed Sacrament Church, 3127 James Street. Jeff’s calling hours will be held from 4:00 -7:00 pm on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at the THOMAS J PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY.
Donations may be made to CNY SPCA, 5878 East Molloy Rd., Syracuse, NY 13211 or St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center Foundation, 973 James St., Ste. 250, Syracuse, NY 13203.
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