Obituary of Joseph E. DiFabio

Joseph Ettore DiFabio

Passed away peacefully March 19, 2026, on St. Joseph’s Day, patron saint of a Happy Death, surrounded by his loving family.

Joe is pre-deceased by his parents, Giuseppe and Fontina DiFabio and sweet niece Lisa DiFabio Tronco.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years Audrey, his children Patricia (Joseph) Preiser, Anthony DiFabio, Donna (David) Martello, and Catherine DiFabio, who gave Joe and his wife Audrey seven wonderful grandchildren: Amanda, Matthew, Katie, Abby, Gabriella, Tommy & Joey. Also survived by brothers Louis (Patricia) DiFabio, Anthony (Carol) DiFabio, sisters Mary Ann (Frank) Vacarro and Barbara Beckman, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours are 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Monday March 30 at the Harris Funeral Home, 570 S Kings Hwy, Irondequoit, NY 14617

Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 4536 St. Paul Blvd., Irondequoit, NY on Tuesday March 31 at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers: Mass Cards - Christ the King Church; Donations to Aquinas Institute of Rochester - Athletic Fund

A lifelong resident of Rochester, NY, Joe was the son of an Italian immigrant from L’Aquila Italy and was proud of his Italian Heritage. His mother was a devout Catholic and raised her five children in the faith, a gift that would sustain them their whole lives.

Joe grew up on the west side of the city on Locust Street with his parents, brothers Lou and Tony and sisters MaryAnn and Barbara, a tight knit family. Joe, or Eddie as his immediate family called him, was the eldest of the 5 children.

Joe attended Holy Rosary grammar school, which he always had fond memories of the students, nuns and priests.

Joe attended Aquinas, an all-boy Catholic high school, where he enjoyed a variety of sports, but excelled in football.  He played 4 years of high school football as a tight end and in his senior year, he was awarded the Aquinas Outstanding Player Trophy. But it wasn’t just sports that Joe excelled in, he also was the Editor of the Sports Page on the school newspaper Maroon and White, was a Class Officer for each of his 4 years at Aquinas and participated in Varsity Club and Perpetual Rosary.

Joe met his wife Audrey in his junior year of high school at the St. Margaret Mary Friday Night dances. Audrey was a pretty Nazareth girl, and Joe was a good-looking Aquinas guy and the romance began.

Joe went on to Hobart College to study economics where he received a full scholarship to play football. The team was undefeated during Joe’s freshman and sophomore years. Joe was also the President of the Newman Club. Joe and Audrey married during his senior year.

After graduation they returned to Rochester to work, and had 4 children.  Joe’s first job was with Delco, followed by Kodak for several years. Joe then began working at Monroe County and was promoted to the Supervisor of Building Services for the County until his retirement in 1997.

Joe had a kind and jovial spirit. Everyone enjoyed Joe’s great sense of humor and funny “corny” jokes, especially his 7 grandchildren.

Joe was a family man who enjoyed taking his family to church, Sunday dinners and visiting extended family. The family went on camping trips every summer and Joe served as a scoutmaster for many years. He also had a passion for good food, good conversation and a good cigar. He was civic minded and helped to get the vote out for the GOP.

Joe was a devout Catholic and daily communicant who had a passion for bringing people to the faith. He taught religious education, drove people to church and was involved with the men’s bible study for many years.

Joe was a very compassionate man who volunteered many hours in helping the homeless, ex-convicts, the hospitalized and the elderly. Joe truly lived the words of Jesus “whatever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me.”

Following retirement, Joe and Audrey wintered in Florida where they had an open-door policy for family, friends and especially the grandkids.  But when back home, you could often find Joe cruising around town in his convertible PT Cruiser and stopping at “his bench” over- looking the lake to smoke his cigar, talk to the people who passed by and enjoy the sunset.

Joe’s bench: “Sunrise…Sunset… Enjoy! JED”