Sebastiano John di Stefano

S. John “Barney” di Stefano, 96, died of natural causes on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at his home. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he grew up in Binghamton, New York. Barney met his beloved wife of 71 years, Evelyn, while they both studied at Syracuse University. After serving in World War II, he worked for the federal government in Alaska and Washington D.C., receiving several awards for organizational efficiency. He was a senior employee with the Federal Aviation Administration spanning more than 30 years before he retired in 1983. He was a role model in the community, serving in leadership positions with his sons’ scouting organizations, the Bowie Boys and Girls Club and the Bowie Health Center. He was appointed by two Maryland Governors to the Prince George’s County Board of Elections, serving as President. He was an avid reader throughout his life, with a stack of library books always sitting next to his chair and bookshelves filled with an extensive personal collection of classics. He also enjoyed travel to both far-flung and close-by locations. As the son of immigrants, his parents stressed the importance of an education, and he was perhaps most proud that all of his children and grandchildren earned bachelor’s degrees with some earning post-graduate degrees. He made it a point to attend, when possible, his children’s and grandchildren’s concerts, sporting activities, and school events. He is preceded in death by his parents Stefano and Grazia (Coco) di Stefano; brother and sister-in-law Dominick and Jean Di Stefano; brother Frank Di Stefano; father-in-law and mother-in-law Robert and Emily Bender; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Robert and Mabel Reynolds; nephew Dominic Di Stefano, and great-grandchild Irene Grobmyer. He is survived by his wife Evelyn di Stefano; three children, Teresa, Tom (Karen), Jamie (Ruth); nine grandchildren, Paula (Robert), Andrew (Mallory), Michael (Rachel), Matthew, John, Kerianne, Stevie (Kate), Lisa and Gina; and great-grandchildren, Karen, Esther, Felicity, Jack, Marian and Sebastian. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 16, from 5-8 p.m. at Lee Funeral Home, Owings, Maryland, and the Funeral Mass will be on Friday, February 17 at 1 p.m. at Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Owings, Maryland.