Vincent DeFranco

Vincent N. DeFranco, 70, of Huguenot, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2020. Vincent was born in Brooklyn, NY on May 1, 1949, the youngest son of the late Donnie and Mildred DeFranco. Vincent worked with Local 3 as an apprentice electrician upon graduating from high school and throughout his college years. Vincent began his teaching career in East Harlem, NY. After ten years, he transferred to Totten, I.S. 34, where he was an English teacher and Assistant Principal from 1981-2001. He retired from the NYC Department of Education in 2004 as the principal of P.S. 46 in South Beach. Vincent was a student and altar boy at St. Frances de Chantal, Brooklyn, where he began a lifelong faith in the Lord which he has passed down to his children and grandchildren. A true gentlemen, who met his one and only love, Terry, at the beach in the summer of 1966, after graduating from Brooklyn Tech High School, Vincent would write romantic, witty or contemplative poems for her to find throughout their life together.

Vincent was his happiest at gatherings with friends and family at home, in restaurants, on the lake and on the golf course. He was his grandchildren’s biggest fan attending school functions from geography bees to school plays, sporting events, cheer competitions and concerts. He was generous with his time, babysitting a few days each week when each of the kids were young. Most notably, he watched his first three grandchildren, triplets, on his own twice a week for more than two years beginning when they were six months old. He knew his family well and would have their favorite foods and activities on hand.

He is survived by his wife, Theresa (nee. Grillo), brother, Frank, two daughters, a son and their spouses, eight grandchildren, seven nieces and nephews and their children, and the most wonderful cousins and friends anyone could hope to have.

Funeral from Bedell-Pizzo funeral Home on Monday 8:45 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Thomas the Apostle Church 9:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY. Family and friends may visit Saturday 4- 8 p.m. and Sunday, from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Vincent’s name can be made to Juvenille Diabetes Research Foundation and mailed to 1480 Route 9N, Suite 306, Woodbridge, NJ 07095 or online at http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/VincentDefranco