Obituary of John DeFrancesco

John Andrew DeFrancesco, 71, longtime member and Past Chairman of the Burlington Planning Board, passed away at his home after a brief illness on Friday morning, July 29. He was the beloved husband of Martha “Marty” (Ratto) DeFrancesco for 48 years. Born in Boston, he was the son of the late Andrew A., and the late Mary (Badessa) DeFrancesco. John was a graduate of Don Bosco High School, and he earned his engineering degree from Lowell Tech (UMass Lowell). John worked as an Electrical Engineer, first as an intern during college for Massachusetts Instrumentation Labs before transferring to Draper Labs, both affiliates of MIT, where he worked for 32 years until 1996. He then went on to work for Raytheon Tewksbury until he retired in 2006. Until his recent illness, John was a very active and innovative man, who had a passion for designing and building projects from beginning to end for his family. His most significant building accomplishments began in 1976 with the reconstruction of the family home in Burlington and his most recent pier and barn building projects in Maine. From 1982-2012, John was an active member of the Burlington Planning Board, where he put his passion and love for designing, building, and his town into action for the benefit of Burlington and its citizens. Over his 30 years of tenure on the Planning Board, John served six years as Vice Chairman, and two years as Chairman. He was instrumental in the planning of the redevelopment of the Burlington Mall, Lahey Clinic, Middlesex Turnpike Corridor, Network Drive, Wayside Commons, and the Northwest Parkway. In addition to his love of Burlington, John grew to also love his retirement in Maine where he could further foster his love of building and the outdoors, especially fishing, boating, and observing wildlife with his family. In addition to his wife Marty, John was the proud father of his son Paul DeFrancesco and his wife Kristina of Burlington, his daughter Karen Mullins and her husband Mark of Bedford; and his son David DeFrancesco and his wife Deneé of Gardner; and the loving grandfather of three beautiful grandchildren, Ella and Julia Mullins, and Cameron DeFrancesco. He is also survived by two sisters, Andrea Peters and her husband Mark of East Boothbay, ME; and Marie Moura of Kittery, ME; and his sisters in law and brother in law, Susan and Bob Bullen of Tewksbury; and Joan Ratto of Dracut. John is further survived by aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews. John’s funeral will be held from the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Tuesday, August 2 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours will be on Monday from 4-8 p.m. Burial will be in the Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in John’s honor to the American Cancer Society, 18 Tremont St., Ste. 700, Boston, MA 02108; or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. DEATH NOTICE: DeFRANCESCO, John Andrew-of Burlington, July 29. Age 71. Beloved husband of Martha “Marty” (Ratto) DeFrancesco. Loving father of Paul DeFrancesco and his wife Kristina of Burlington, Karen Mullins and her husband Mark of Bedford, and David DeFrancesco and his wife Deneé of Gardner. Devoted grandfather of Ella and Julia Mullins, and Cameron DeFrancesco. Brother of Andrea Peters and her husband Mark of East Boothbay, ME; and Marie Moura of Kittery, ME. Brother in law of Susan and Bob Bullen of Tewksbury; and Joan Ratto of Dracut. Also survived by aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Funeral from the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Tuesday, Aug. 2 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret's Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Monday 4-8 p.m. Burial in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in John’s honor may be made to the American Cancer Society, 18 Tremont St., Ste. 700, Boston, MA 02108; or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.