Obituary of James DeStephano

James Robert DeStephano, a longtime resident of Burlington, passed away at the Winchester Hospital on Wednesday morning, July 15, 2015. The beloved husband of Margaret “Peg” Halaby, he was 87 years old. James was born, raised and educated in Somerville. He was a 1945 graduate of Somerville High School. After graduation James attended Norwich University in Vermont participating in their ROTC Program. He then transferred to Tufts University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree. James had majored in Medicine but decide that was not the field he would pursue. He worked for John Hancock and then went on to work in the Semi-Conductor Industry. He worked at Sylvania in Woburn and retired from a Senior Management position at Alpha Industries. James had many interests. He enjoyed taking care of his home whether it was working in his garden or decorating the inside of his home. He was a talented artist. He played the piano and painted. He painted still life pictures such as flowers. James and Peg had a wonderful life together. They travelled the world visiting such destinations as Mexico, Disney, Europe and numerous cruises. Peg was the love of his life and he liked nothing better than taking care of her. Christmas was a special time for him and he would get together with Peg’s sister Karen to make sure he got just the right gift for Peg. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a wonderful family celebration at the Café Escadrille. James and Peg would have celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary on July 21st. James was the beloved husband of Margaret “Peg” (Halaby). James was the brother-in-law of Karen Halaby & her significant other Stephen Johnson of Somerville. Uncle of Catherine & David Adams of Holliston, Mark Oleson of Holliston & Scott Oleson of Plymouth. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Saturday July 18 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 Friday 4-7 p.m. Interment in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge. Memorials in James’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Honor Program 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942 In Loving Memory of Mr. James DeStephano July 17, 2015 – St. Margaret’s Church – Burlington, Mass. Written by – Stephen Johnson – 7/16/15. We are all here today despite our own advanced ages and affirmities to be here to acknowledge a dear soul, James DeStephano who meant so much to so many. We were all fortunate to spend so many special, care-free mo-ments with Jim and Peg over the years. For almost 58 years of marriage they were like a modern Romeo and Juliet together. They loved each other dearly and it continues even today. And this love extended to many of you. Together they also enjoyed the theatre, gardening, music, fine foods, and traveled the world together. But the many close-knit friend-ships and family relationships over the years is what made their life and love so meaningful and fresh. Many of these experiences they also shared with you as friends and relatives sometimes do. Each of you have your own fond memories of Jim. What would you offer as some of your own prized memories? In the many years that you have known him, what I think we share in knowing Jim, is his many wonderful qualities. He was kind, some may even say sweet, generous, always inter-ested in things, he was able to give an opinion without upsetting anyone, and was inclined to think better of someone than they probably did of themselves. He was not pompous or arrogant but someone who cared about others and his neighbors. Jim was not someone who seemed to be caught-up in life’s pretentiousness or today’s materialism. That wasn’t him. First and foremost, he was a gentleman and a friend. What more can one say of an individual when their time has finally come? In the end isn’t that what we would like someone to hopefully say about us? An essential part of Jim’s personality, his uncommon decency, was guided by what he received in this particular church on Sundays. But the cornerstone of his every waking moment was his loving and devoted wife, Margaret (Peg) DeStephano. Over the past few years as you know, as his health steadily declined, she was the one as much as his capable doctors or attentive nurses at Win-chester Hospital that kept Jim going. And some days frankly it wasn’t easy for her. But that didn’t seem to matter. Peg was always there by his side every step of the way. It’s clear that there life together has been more than a marriage. It has been a true love-story that has been more authentic than any movie version. They have had a wonderful life, a partnership, that all of us can admire. Being with someone that you have loved for more than half a century is indeed something remarkable. What an extraordinary and blessed life! In looking back at their happy wedding day picture of almonst 58 years ago with Jim closely resembling a young Prince Ranier of Monaco in his white dinner jacket and Peg a dark-haired Grace Kelly, Jim has fulfilled his royal likeness. He not only resembled a Prince in his younger days, he was a Prince in everyday life that we were fortunate to know. Thank-you, Jim. Rest in Peace.